THEFT OF CYCLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27345, 22 March 1950, Page 3

THEFT OF CYCLE

Accused Admitted To ” Probation

Mr J. G. Warrington, S.M., made an order in the Oamaru Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon prohibiting the publication of ’’ the name of a young woman who pleaded guilty to stealing a lady’s bicycle valued at £l2.

Senior Sergeant D. Wilson said that the bicycle had been taken from outside a shop in Thames street. A few days later it was recognised by the owner's son. It had been altered in appearance. The accused later frankly admitted that she had stolen the bicycle. It was her first appearance before the court and no reason could be given for the theft. Mr J. E. Farrell, who appeared for the accused, applied for suppression of the name and dismissal of the charge on the grounds that It was a first offence and because of the circumstances. The accused had suffered a nervous breakdown at Christmas, he said, and could give no explanation of why she took the bicycle. Mr Warrington said he could not accede to counsel's second request. There was a certain amount of cunning in the alteration of the appearance of the bicycle. He suppressed the name and admitted the accused to probation for 12 months with special conditions that her place of residence was approved by the probation officer and that the bicycle was restored to its former condition at the accused’s expense. OTHER CASES A charge against Douglas McKay Pratley, a dairy employee, of knowingly supplying false and misleading' information that he was over 21 years in applying for the services of a hire-rental venicle was dismissed. The magistrate pointed out that the defendant was charged with knowingly supplying information, whereas the police witnesses said the defendant did not read the contract and was not asked his age. He was therefore entitled to a dismissal. Herbert Henry Nicholson, of Pukeuri, a farmer, was fined 20s and costs (12s) for driving with insufficient lights. Leonard Victor Campbell, of Awamoko, a farmer, and George Alex. Gillespie, of Herbert, a farmer, were each fined 20s and cost (12s) for aiding and abetting unlicensed drivers. Paani Rewiti Porete, of Moeraki, a farmer, for whom Mr J. E. Farrell appeared, pleaded not guilty to using obscene language on February 28 at Moeraki. Evidence of the words used was given by Thomas Robert Welsh, of Moeraki, a carrier, and Leonard Quinlan Dungey, of Moeraki, a farmer, and of an interview with the defendant by Constable Johnston, of Hampden. Porete denied the charge, but Mr Warrington accepted the evidence of the prosecution and entered a conviction, Porete being fined £4 with costs (18s) and witness expenses (30s). Ronald Douglas Aitcheson, a labourer, for whom Mr H. J. S. Grater appeared, pleaded not guilty to charges of using insulting words on February 11 to Edgar John Mackay and assaulting Mackay. Evidence was given by Mackay. John Stevenson, Kevin Doran and Constable I. Harris. The defence was a denial of using the words complained of. Mr Warrington said the accused’ was very fortunate in not being dealt with on a basis of something more serious. He could have been convicted on both counts. The whole performance was not very creditable to the accused. The magistrate said he was reluctant to enter convictions against a boy of the accused’s age and the accused would be let off because of his age. The charge of insulting language was dismissed subject to the payment of costs (10s) and that of assault was dismissed subject to the payment of costs (19s) and witnesses’ expenses (12s).