PATEA S.M. COURT

Patea Mail, 3 October 1938, Page 2

PATEA S.M. COURT

THEFT OF A WATCH Richard Ivatene was charged before Messrs E. F. Hemingway a’nd W, F. Sheild, Justices of the Peace', on Saturday, with t,he theft of a wristlet watch valued at £2. Accused pleaded guilty. Constable Kelly stated that the accused had been living for some time at the Excels!o,r Boarding House, where the owner of the iwatcjh was also staying.. The loss of the watch was reported to witness on the evenipg of Thursday last, and on the following morning he went to accused’s bedroom and found him in bed. ■On looking ••omul be discerned the watch behind a mirror on the dressing-table. The accused thereupon admitted the theft. In reply to the Bench Constable Kelly stated that the accused had been fined £3 on March 7 ’last for being drunk and disorderly.

Accused when a skied, -said he had nothing to say. The Bench addressing accused stated that he was liable to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour for the present offence. This time he would lie sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, but the next time he -appeared in Court for any offence he would receive tha maximum penalty. The Bench complimented Constable Kelly on his work in connection wit,h the case, renmrkihg that it was another instance Of his finding and arresting a culprit within' 24 hours of the case being reported to hint.