CITY POLICE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23352, 18 November 1937, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT

Wednesday, November 17 (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) I DRUNKENNESS Charged with drunkenness, David Johnstone Gunning, a statutory first offender, was fined 10s, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. Similarly charged, a first offender was fined 20s, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment. INTOXICATED MOTORIST George Roy Bremner, a carpenter, of Mosgiel, was charged with being intoxicated while in charge of a motor car.—Senior Sergeant Packer said that at 0.20 a.m. yesterday Constable Quirk noticed a motor car being di’iven along the wrong side of George street at about 30 miles an hour. The constable had tried to stop the car but the motorist did not pull up and the constable had difficulty in stepping out of its path. The car had then proceeded along the main street to where tramway employees were repairing the road near Dowling street. The defendant had careered right through the red lights, taking one with him, and had only pulled up when confronted with a traction engine. He had then reversed and driven away. The constable had searched for the car and found it in Dowling street outside the pie-cart. When confronted by the constable the defendant had denied everything, but later he admitted being the driver of the car. He was then taken to the police station where he was examined by Dr Harty and stated to be in an unfit condition to drive a car. The defendant was a first offender and was 22 years of age.—Mr G. V. Murdoch, who appeared for the defendant, said that Bremner had been at Mosgiel visiting friends and had consumed beer there. He was walking home when he was picked up by the owner of the car concerned. The driver had left the car in Moray place, and, while waiting for him, the defendant had driven the car to the pie-cart. He had not noticed the lights at first and, although he had driven through them, he had pulled up when he saw the traction engine. He then reversed and turned into Dowling street. When the constable had accosted him, he admitted that he was the driver of the car but had not realised that he had done any material damage. The defendant was a highly sensitive person and should never take drink as it had a serious effect on his temperament.— The magistrate imposed a fine of £ 10, with expenses (£ 1 Is) and suspended his licence and prohibited him from driving for 12 months. REMAND GRANTED John James M'Carthy was charged with breaking and entering, on October 23, the dwelling-house of John Miller, at Dunedin, with intent to commit a crime.—On the application of Chief Detective Young, a remand was granted until to-morrow. SENTENCE IMPOSED John Philip Eerie Niven, who was represented by Mr White, appeared for sentence on charges of fraudulently converting to his own use on October 16 the sum of £l, and on October 24 the sum of £24, the property of Thomas Henry Seymour, and of stealing at Brighton the sum of 19s, -the property of Edna May Field.—After hearing counsel’s remarks, the magistrate stated that the crimes were not committed through poverty as the accused was earning £5 10s a week. There were previous charges against him. On the major charge of converting £24 to his own use he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour, and on each of the other charges the was convicted and discharged. On an additional charge of being in possession of an unlicensed wireless set, he was fined 10s and costs (10s). A SERIOUS CHARGE

Thomas Auchterlonie Kerr, a builder, aged 40 years, of Owaka, was charged with assaulting, at East Taieri, on November 9, a girl of 15 years with intent to commit rape. Mr White represented the accused and Detective Sergeant Hall conducted the prosecution. A plea of not guilty was entered.—Evidence was given by the complainant, her father, by Constable Southgate (Outram), and by Detective Sergeant Hall.—The accused reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. The magistrate allowed bail at £IOO in the accused’s own recognisance and two sureties of £SO each, a condition being that the accused should report twice weekly to the police.