THEFT OF A BICYCLE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17155, 4 October 1926, Page 7

THEFT OF A BICYCLE

YOUNG MAN IN TROUBLE MAGISTRATE'S WARNING. A charge of stealing a bicycle valued at £4, belonging to Phillip Grogan, was preferred against a young married; man of 24, before Mr. E. C. Lcvvey, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court this morning. Air. H. D. Chrisp appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilt/-. Senidi'-Sergeant Fitzpatrick stated that the owner of the bicycle left it in the Albion right-of-way, and on. returning for it found that it had disappeared. Subsequently, the accused was found with it in his possession, and the machine had been alterod considerably. The accused demurred for a time, and then handed the bicycle over to the owner. When the police visited the accused's home they found the back wheel of Grogan's bicycle. Phillip Grogan gave evidence on these lines. Sergeant Dempsey deposed to visiting the accused's home aud questioning him about the bicycle. , The accused said he had taken the machine from the right-of-way, and altered it in various ways. He "said he had permission to use the bicycle, and when further .questioned said that he and a mate had several drinks at the hotel. On coming out his mate said "that's your bicycle," and the accused rode it home. Mr. Chrisp withdrew his plea of not guilty and entered one of guilty. Mr. Chrisp said that previously the accused lost his own machine and went to the police about it. On the evening in question he had a few drinks, and took the bicycle from the right-of-way. He came of a good family, and had not previously been convicted of anv offence. He suggested that a term of probation would meet the case. The senior-sergeant said there was a great amount of this kind of offence. There were so many bicycles and it was impossible for the police t*know tho owner of each one. "You are a very foolish fellow," said the Magistrate to the_ accused. •'The senior-sergeant says this type of offence is very common in the town,, and T do not wish to establish a precedent by letting you down lightly. you are a young man, and I will make a starting point of this ease, and give a first and final warning that in future bicyclo thieves will be treated with nothing but imprisonment. You will be ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. In view of the fact that you have a wife and young child I will order the suppression of your name.