AN INCORRIGIBLE ROGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 48

AN INCORRIGIBLE ROGUE.

“A DIRTY LAZY LOAFER.”

“ I can only describe this man as a dirty big lazy loafer,” said Sub-inspector 'Broberg, in the City Police Court on Saturday, when Albert Joseph Bell pleaded guilty to a charge of being an incorrigible rogue, in that he wandered in Princes street, on October 22, and begged alms, ho having previously been convicted as an idle and disorderly person, on September 29.

On Friday evening, between 8 and 9 o’clockj Constables Kelly and Beer were on plain clothes duty in the vicinity of the Post Office, when they saw the accused loitering about. They saw him accost no fewer than 14- persons and ask for money. Tho last person to whom he spoke gave him three coppers, and when arrested the accused had in his possession 3s 6d, so ho could not have been without money when he obtained tho threepence. There were 45 previous convictions against Bell, dating from 1902, and those embraced everything from drunkenness to theft. In answer to Mr Widdowson, S.M., the accused said ho had just finished a fortnight’s work. He said “ I would like you to give mo another chance, because I have my mother to support, and if you send mo to gaol it will only fall upon her. I have work to go to in tho shearing sheds. My father died when I was only two years of age, and I admit I have been a bit of a waster, but if you give mo a chance I will get away from tho town to-day and prohibit myself. lam all right when I am in tho country and away from the drink.” Mr Widdowson, S.M.: How old are you? Accused: 33 years of age. Mr Widdowson, S.M. i One would have thought that you had reached the years of discretion a long t'ime ago. _ Yon started your career of drunkenness in 1902, and you have convictions against you for obscene language, theft, and for being a rogue ami a vagabond. Accused: I am nob whining for myself, but it is for the old lady, and I will go straight away if you give me a chance. Mr Widdowson, S.M. : I’ll see if you can’t get flic drink out of your system.

Accused: Thank you. Mr Widdowson, S.M.: I am not finished yet. You will be convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour-