CAR CONVERSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22468, 11 July 1936, Page 15

CAR CONVERSION

PRISON SENTENCE OFFENCES BY YOUNG MAN WATERFRONT ROAD CRASH TWO VEHICLES DAMAGED "This is about as bad a ease as there could be," said Mr. W. I>. McTvean, K.M.. in the Police Court vosterdav when imposing a sentence of six months' imprisonment, and fines and costs totalling £l2, on Leslie Herbert long, labourer, aged 21 (Mr. Schramm). Accused pleaded guilty to charges of converting to his own use two motor-cars, valued at £l9O and £l4O, of driving without a licence, and of dangerous driving. Senior-Detective Hall said that on the evening of July 3 accused took a car from Carlton Core Bond, invited five friends to go for a drive, and subsequently crashed into a bus on the Waterfront Hoad. The car hit the bus, skidded across the road, smashed an electric-power pole and turned upside down. The occupants crawled out practically unhurt. The damage to the car was estimated at £llO and that to the pole and wiring at £3O. Another car had been taken by accused on July ] and while driving in the Domain he had crashed into the winter gardens and done damage valued at £7 to the car.

Mr. Schramm said he recognised the offence was very serious, as young men who took ears and drove them recklessly were a danger to the public as well as an annoyance to tho owners. Accused had made a complete admission, and had also admitted the earlier conversion. His companions were quite innocent, as lie had told them the car was hired. "Whether he is capable of driving a car or not, I do not know." said the magistrate, "but the facts show that he drove recklessly and damaged tho car severely. A few days before he had taken another car. 1 suppose it would be quite useless to make an order for restitution." Accused was sentenced to six months' imprisonment on each of tho conversion charges, lined £lO for dangerous driving, £1 for not having a licence, and ordered to nay costs totalling JUi. V