CHARGE OF PERJURY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22058, 14 September 1933, Page 2

CHARGE OF PERJURY

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL SEQUEL TO RECENT PROCEEDINGS. A sequel to recent proceedings concerning the conversion of a motor cycle was heard in the City Police Court yesterday morning by Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., when Ernest Robert William Pledgor was charged with perjury in that he stated on oath; “1 was not out of the house after Wells left” whereas he was in Taicri road at 11.15 the same night aud at 2.30 the next morning. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, was not represented by counsel. After hearing the evidence the magistrate committed him to the Supreme Court for trial. The accused had nothing to say for himself when committed. The first evidence in the case was tendered by Alfred Ernest Reynolds, clerk of the Magistrate’s Court, who said that on July 31 Pledger was charged with unlawfully converting to his own use a motor cycle owned by David Doric O'Callaghan. He was convicted after pleading not guilty and on August 4, after a remand in custody, he was sentenced to two months* imprisonment. Constable Harvey stated that in his capacity of court orderly he swore the accused when ho was charged on July 31. Charles Gordon Mann, a grocer’s assistant, said he had known the accused for two or three years and ou July 15 last he saw the accused come down a right-of-way leading into Taieri road at 11.10 p.m. At the time witness was in conversation with two girls named Brown, and he whistled to the accused, who immediately turned round and went back up the lane. Witness then went home to get a torch, and when he returned he saw two men issue from the ■ lane on a motor cycle. The.r faces were turned from him and he could not swear to their identity. He had given this evidence in the earlier proceedings on July 31 and it had been contradicted by the accused.

Thelma Mavis Brown, a typist, said she had known the accused for some years. Shortly after 11.7 p.m. on July 31 she was standing with her sister and Mann in Taieri road and saw the accused come down a right-of-way, enter Taieri road, and then retrace his steps up the lane. Not long after he disappeared two men came out of the right-of-way on a motor cycle, and she saw that the man on th.e pillion was the accused. Witness had tendered the same evidence at the earlier procedings aud had been contradicted by the accused. Muriel Helen Brown corroborated the evidence of her sister, and stated that she also had been contradicted by the accused when she gave her evidence at the original proceedings. David Doric O’Callaghan, the owner of the motor cycle unlawfully converted by the accused, said he commenced a search for his missing machine in company with Constable Excell at about 11.20 p.m. on July 31. With the constable he went to the accused’s house and knocked on the door but could get no answer whatever although he heard a child cry out. At 2.30 p.m. they were at Thompson’s shop at the corner of Kaikorai Valley and Taieri roads when they saw two men approaching from Kaikorai Valley. They came to within 15 paces of the constable and then turned to go down Taieri road. Witness recognised Pledger, and he and the constable then gave chase. One man went up a right-of-way and the other went straight on. The one who went straight on was the accused, and witness followed him. Constable Excell gave corroborative evidence and said that when the accused was charged with conversion he said that he had not left his house after the departure of his friend Wells at 11.15. He 'also said he went to bed at 11.30 p.m. Detective Jenvey gave evidence concerning the arrest of the accused and said he was present when the accused said ho had not been out of the house after the departure of Wells at 11.15. Chief Detective Young then outlined the proceedings at whi.ch Pledger had pleaded not guilty to the charge of conversion and Detective Russell gave corroborative evidence.

The accused was committed for trial