POLICE COURT TANGLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 970, 13 May 1930, Page 1

POLICE COURT TANGLE

TWO MEN WITH SAME NAME CAUSE CONFUSION WRONG OFFENCES ADMITTED Press Association WELLINGTON* Today. Two men named Rafferty were the central figures In a comedy of errors in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. When the name of Andrew Rafferty was called, a solidly-built, middle-aged man marched through the court and into the dock. Asked how he pleaded to a charge of drunkenness, he replied, *‘l’m sorry*” He was further charged with casting offensive matter and. having admitted both offences, he was fined 10s on the first charge and on the second £. 1. There were a number of humorous interludes while Rafferty was seeking time to pay, which was ultimately granted. When the Court rose it was discovered that a man named Andi%w Rafferty was still in custody and had not been dealt with. Explanations followed and it was found that the man who had been fined as Andrew Rafferty was in fact James Rafferty. He had come to Court in the morning with a summons to appear on Friday next on a charge of casting offensive matter and he had asked to be dealt with that day, as he was going away in his ship. This was done. but Rafferty, in his enthusiasm. had pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness as w’ell and had been duly fined. The magistrate was called back a*\d the real Andrew Rafferty was placed in the dock. He admitted the charge of drunkenness and. having spent a week-end in the cells, was convicted and discharged.