“AN HONEST MISTAKE”

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12197, 23 July 1925, Page 6

“AN HONEST MISTAKE”

CONSTABLE LOSES BICYCLE INNOCENT MAN CHARGED WITH THEFT. Per Press Association. OAMARU, July 22. A case possessing extraordinary features was heard in the Magistrate’s Court today. Constable Voyce. some weeks ago, missed his bicycle. He saw a machine in the'street which he identified as his and asked the resident who claimed it; from whom he procured it. The resident stated that he had found the body of the machine in a rubbish heap some years ago and had assembled it. As the number was missing the constable laid an information against the resident for theft. After tho case for the prosecution had been henrd counsel for the defence asked for an adjournment to enable him to produce another bicycle which had been found in a stable. When the second bicycle- was produced Constable Voyce identified it as his. Senior-Sergeant Shanahan then said an honest mistake had been made and asked leave to withdraw the charge. The magistrate said there was no doubt an honest mistake had been made. It was unfortunate that the missing bicycle should have belonged to a constable. No odium in the circumstances could attach to Constable Voyce. Counsel for the defence stated that there were features about the two bicycles which did not correspond. ' Tho magistrate said he waq satisfied, however, that an honest mistake had been made. He agreed to tho withdrawal of tho charge and made an order that publication of the name of tho defendant bo suppressed.