THEFTS FROM CARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22117, 24 May 1935, Page 14

THEFTS FROM CARS

TWO MEN SENTENCED CHASE THROUGH CITY STREETS A largo pile of overcoats and car rugs was an exhibit in the Police Court yesterday, when two men, who were arrested following a chase through city streets on May 15, were charged with the theft of the articles from cars. Andrew John McDonald, labourer, aged 46, was charged with stealing an overcoat valued at £8 8s and a rug valued at £2, and William John Newman, plasterer, aged 50, was charged with the theft of four overcoats of a total value of £l2 13s and two rugs of a total value of £2 IDs. Stanley Sparkes, motor salesman, gave evidence that on May 15, as a result of information given tp him, he went to his car, collected a witness and drove into Wyndham Street,, where he saw the two accused with another man. McDonald was carrying witness' coat. "I told McDonald I wanted him," witness added. "The three men showed fight and they bolted in different directions. After a further search, [ located the accused McDonald in a hotel and got my coat back." After further evidence had been taken, tho magistrate, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, convicted McDonald. "Hard labour does not seem to do you any good," he said, after perusing a list of accused's previous convictions. "Last year you spent 10 months in gaol. It is now only the fifth month of the present year, and you have already spent four months there." McDonald was sentenced to a month's hard labour, to be followed by two years' reformative detention

The accused Newman pleaded guilty to all charges, and was sentenced to a month's imprisonment on three of the charges. On two indictable charges he was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.