Police Court—This Day

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9309, 22 February 1899, Page 2

Police Court—This Day

(Before Messrs E. Scott and J. L. Walton, Js.P.)

STEALING A PURSE.

John O'Ootnor, alias William O'Connor, was charged with stealing a purse containing 8s in money, the property of Miss Ethel Austin, of Auckland, at the P trawai Kacecourse on the 15th February, and John Hardinghaoi and William Johnson were charged with receiving the same knowing it to have been stolen. Mr Olendon appeared for O'Connor and pleaded guilty. He stated that in consideration of O'Connor's pleading guilty the police had consented to withdraw the chargo of receiving against the other two prisoners, who had pleaded " not guilty." Sergeant Brennan stated that*he was willing to adopt the course suggested by Mr Clendon Mr Clendon then addressed the Court on benalf of o'' Connor. He stated that this was the first occasion on which 0 Connor had been bafore the Court, and that he was the son of a respectable engineer, who was working at Waihi,where the prisoner could obtain work. Prisoner had been drinking on the day on which the offeuee was committed, and yielded to the temptation to steal while under the influence of liquor. He had been in gaol for a week, which was a sufficient humiliation, and he (Mr Clendon) asked that the Court should impose a fine in lieu of imprisonment, the police had nothiug to urge against the prisoner, who had not been before the Court before. He appealed to Sergeant Brennan to say whether that was not the case. Sergeant Brennan: He has been convicted of assault.

Mr Clendon scouted the idea of a co viction for assault being worth

consideration by the Court, as it was quite easy to understand a young man getting mixed up in a row. Mr Scott JP. asked Mr Clendon whether the prisoner would be prepared

to restore the money and the purse to the police ? Mr Olendon said the prisoner could not restore the cash as only 2s 3d was found upon him when hcgwas arrested He was willing to hand that amount over and also to restore the purse.

Mr Scott J.P. The full value of the property stolen must be restored. Mr Olendon, after consulting with the three prisoners, stated that Hardingham, although innocsnt of the charge against him, would pay the deficiency of 6s. ,

Tie Court imposed & fine of £2 and costs on O'Connor and discharged the other two youths. In announcing the decision Mr Scott expressed a hope that it would be a warning to the young men to avoid bad company and to abstain from drink, which had a demoralising effect upon all who took it in excess. The Clerk of the Court pointed out that the Bench had not fixed an alter native in default of payment' of the fine.

Mr Scott: Has not the prisoner got the money ? Mr Jordan: That is not the question at all. The Bench must fix an alternative. The Bench fixed 14 days' imprisonment as an alternative punishment. Upon Mr Clendon's application the Bench allowed one week in which to find the money. The fine and costs amounted to £6 3s.

LEAVING A VEHICLE UNATTENDED.

J >hn Maher pleaded guilty to a charge of leaving a vehicle unattended in the public street on the 15th inst. Sergeant Brennan said the defendant drove his vehicle to the Goods Wharf on the 15th met., when there was a great crowd on the wharf. The constable who was on duty told him that he must not. leave his vehicle, but in defiance of this warning the defendant ran away from it. As there was a great crowd on the wharf defendant's action was most reprehensible, as it might have caused a serious accident.

The Bench imposed a fine of 5s and 7s cos's. The Court then adjourned.