MEN NAMED RAFFERTY

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1930, Page 11

MEN NAMED RAFFERTY

WRONG CHARGE ADMITTED COMEDY OF ERRORS IN COURT. MISTAKE EVENTUALLY RIGHTED. By Telegraph-—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night'. Two men named Rafferty were the central figures in a comedy of errors in the Magistrate’s Court' to-day. When the name of Andrew Ralferty 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 easting offensive .matter. Having admitted both offences lie was fined 10s , on the first, charge, and on the second. ,€l. : 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 Andrew .Rafferty was still in custody and not dealt with. Explanations followed and it was found that, the man who had been, dealt with as Andrew Rafferty was i,n fact James .Rafferty. He had come to the court this morning with a summons to appear on Friday .next on a charge of easting offensive matter, and he had asked to be dealt with to-day as he was going away in his, ship. Th:,3 was done, but Rafferty .in his enthusiasm had pleaded guilty to a .'charge of drunkenness as wel] and had .been fined.

The magistrate was' again summoned and the real Andrew Rafferty was plaee in the dock. He admitted the charge of drunkenness and, having-spent the week-end in the cells, was convicted and discharged. .. .