DRUNKEN CYCLIST

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 614, 16 March 1929, Page 13

DRUNKEN CYCLIST

DAMAGED ANOTHER MAN’S MACHINE ORDERED TO PAY £8 There are quite a number of feats which it is foolish for a drunken man to attempt and, as was proved by the adventures that befel Reinhart Lellan yesterday, riding a bicycle is one of them. Lellan, a marine officer, aged 2J, was charged at the Police Court this morning with being drunk in Parnell Road and committing mischief by wilfully damaging a bicycle belonging to Harry Grupen to the extent of £3. On the suggestion of Air. F. 11. Levien. S.M., the charge was amended to converting the machine to the man’s own use. Lellan pleaded guilty on the charge of drunkenness, but found himself unable to understand the second charge. “I did not steal the bicycle,” he said. Mr. Levien: You are charged with stealing a ride on it. Lellan: O, yes, I see. According to Senior - Sergeant O’Grady, Lennan had taken the bicycle from outside the railway sheds and gone for a ride on it along the footpath. He was seen and intercepted, but when riding away fell off the machine and damaged it. In addition to a fine of £5, in default 14 days’ imprisonment, Lennan was ordered to make good the damage, £3. He was convicted and discharged on the minor count. It was mentioned that Lennan’s ship was sailing this afternoon.