CONSTABLE BETRAYS HIS TRUST

NZ Truth, Issue 1035, 26 September 1925, Page 7

CONSTABLE BETRAYS HIS TRUST

Arrested Man's Money filched NOTHING TO SAY BUT PLEADS GUILTY

(From "Truth's" < Timaru Rep.)

Constable George Duncan Fisher, watchhouse keeper at the Timaru Police Station, came before Magistrate Mosely at Timaru on Saturday last and was charged with the theft of £10, the property of John O'Donnell otherwise known as Robert O'Donnell. He was further charged with forging a signature to a> document, namely, a property sheet for £71 14s 6d purporting to be signed by Robert O'Donnell.

Inspector "Willis prosecuted, and Mr. : S. V. Beaukoy appeared for accused. Constable McLellan stated that on May 4 he arrested a man named Robert O'Donnell for drunkenness and took him to the watchhouse. On arrival O'Donnell was examined and found to be suffering from a broken leg and was taken to the public hospital. O'DONNELL'S CASH. On searching O'Donnell witness found him to be m possession of £74 9s Sd, and this amount was recorded on the charge sheet and on the property sheet. Both witness and Constable O/Callaghan signed the .property book. Witness was on .duty m the watchhouse on the morning .of May 5 from five o'clock to nine o clock, at which hour accused came on duty and was handed the money by witness. Robert O'Donnell, laborer, of Oamaru, stated that he could not remember being arrested for drunkenness. The only thing he remembered was

waking up and finding himself m hospital with a broken leg. He was informed that. he had "been brought there by the police on the Sunday. He had over £10,0 m his possession, but he did not know * how much he had when arrested. ASKED FOR MONEY. After being a few days m. hospital, he required money, and rang the police station, asking for £10. He could not remember how much Fisher brought him, but the thought it was about 10s. Witness could not remember whether he 'had signed a receipt or not. ' Subsequently he received some ■ _ money . from one of the nurses, " but he did not sign any property sheet. The signature on the sheet was not unlike his. , . ; Accused, who had nothing to say, pleaded guilty, and was committed at counsel's request to • the Supreme Court at Timaru for sentence. - Bail was allowed m accused's own recognisance of £100 and one surety of £100. , .