POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21099, 5 February 1932, Page 11

POLICE COURT NEWS.

THEFT CHARGES ADMITTED. ONE MAN SENT TO GAOL. ✓ A charge of stealing a suit and an iron trunk, valued at £8 17s, was admitted by John Eric Morrow, aged 28, labourer, in the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. Detective-Sergeant Kelly said the articles were stolen from another man who occupied a room with accused at the Salvation Army Workmen's Home. " When accused appeared last week he elected trial by jury, telling the detectives ho never got enough in the Police Court," Mr. Kelly added. " However, his last two sentences have each been two months, and to-day he has elected to plead guilty and be dealt with here." Accused was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. The theffc of a roll of brake lining, valued at £4 18s, the property of Dominion Motors, Limited, and also of another piece, valued at £2, was admitted by Walter Foster, aged 42, mechanic. Mr. Kelly said accused was suspected of stealing the roll of lining when one of the departmental managers saw him with a parcel under his arm. When accosted accused admitted the theft, and also said he had stolen another piece three weeks previously. There were 35 other mechanics, including accused's son, at the garage, and all might have been put under suspicion.

Counsel said the theft was due to drink. Accused had already been in prison for a week on remand. He was prepared to take out a prohibition order. Both he and his son had lost their positions. Accused was fined £5, in default one month's imprisonment, on one charge. " This man was only arrested at 8.45 this morning, and there are two more charges possible, so further inquiries have to be made," said Mr. Kelly, when Leonard James Monk, aged 32, music teacher, was charged with obtaining £3 15s by means of a valueless cheque. Accused was remanded until next Thursday.