DRUGGED AND ROBBED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23692, 27 December 1938, Page 9

DRUGGED AND ROBBED

ALLEGATION IN COURT ELDERLY MAN'S COMPLAINT AN UNSYMPATHETIC MAGISTRATE (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 24. An Irishman, Frederick William Sprott, aged 66, claimed that he had lost £3O or £4O after being "doped" some time last night when he appeared in the Magistrate's Court this morning on a charge of being drunk. He was convicted and discharged by Mr H. A. Young, S.M. " I have not sinned at all," said Sprott, pleading not guilty to the charge. Sprott was minus his coat and was in his stockinged feet when he appeared in court. Telling his story to the magistrate, Sprott said he had been " doped" last night and had lost over £3O. He had been employed on the public works at Conway and had come to town with £SO. "I lost it all and the did me out of it," said Sprott, speaking in a rich Irish brogue. " I can't tell your Honor anything more about it except that I have lost it all. When this is over I want to see the detectives about my money. I'll admit I had a few beers, but I wasn't drunk. I was ' doped ' with something and lost all the money for which I had worked.

The magistrate: Are you married? "Married, your Honor? I'm a grandfather and have 13 children." The magistrate: Well,, you should have had enough experience. The police evidence showed that Sprott had 3d in his possession when arrested. He had been standing in the street dressed in his shirt, trousers and socks.