“MEAN THEFT”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27390, 16 May 1950, Page 3

“MEAN THEFT”

Magistrate’s Sharp Comment RUGBY MATCH INCIDENT ’’ This is a particularly mean type of theft,” Mr J. D. Willis, S.M., said in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday when imposing a fine of £5 with costs (10s) on Leslie Herbert MfcQueen, who pleaded guilty to the theft of 14s 6d. McQueen was represented by Mr D. J. Simpson. Chief Detective Hall said that McQueen was a Rugby referee and had been assigned to a match at Bathgate Park last Saturday, fie had been seen by a player in the referees’ room taking money from the pocket of another referee’s trousers. The defendant denied the charge when accosted, the chief detective said, but •later admitted it. The defendant was a married man with a family, Mr Simpson said. He had not been able to explain his foolish action, except that he had been suffering from the effects of two and two beers. McQueen had been involved in a motor last year and liquor had an unusual effect on him, Mr Simpson said. He was very much ashamed of himself. Carrying a Firearm Desmond le Vavasour, a painter, aged 23, and Keith Robert Arthur Parkin, a painter, aged 22,. were each fined £5 with costs (10s) for unlawfully having a firearm in their possession. Chief Detective Hall said that the two men told him they had got the revolver from a sailor as payment for drinks they had shouted. It was an old model revolver and was not in good working order, he said, but it could be used. Obscene Language Robert David Stevenson, a wharf labourer, aged 31, pleaded guilty to using obscene language in the hearing of persons in Moray place. He was fined £5 with costs 10s) and witnesses’ expenses 12s. Liquor Near Dance Hall Brian Leeming, aged 26, James Michael Fenton, aged 19, and Whiti Whiti, aged 20, were each fined £2 with costs (10s) for having liquor in their possession in the grounds of the Otago University when a dance was in progress in the Allen Hall. Income Tax Returns For failing to furnish returns of income to the Land and Income Tax Degartment since 1946, Florence Elizabeth rown was fined £2, with, costs (10s), and solicitor’s fee £2 2s. James Frederick Fuller was fined £2 with costs (10s) and solicitor’s fee £2 2s for failing to furnish returns since 1947. Remands Granted Charged with indecent assault on a female, Trevor Clyde Fraser, aged 30, a car painter, was remanded until May 25. Bail in the sum of £IOO, with one surety of £IOO, was allowed. Raymond George Alexander, a farm labourer, aged 17, was remanded until May 22, when he was charged with the theft of a horse. Bail in the sum of £SO, with one surety of £SO, was allowed. John Dymand, a marine engineer, aged 37. was charged with bookmaking and was remanded until May 22. Bail was allowed in the sum of £IOO, with one surety of £IOO. Mr W. McAlevey, who appeared for the defendant, said that the case would be defended.