MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16625, 6 January 1922, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

TD-DAY'S CASES. CHRISTCHURCH. (Before Mr V. G. Day, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. A statutory first offender for drunkenness was fined ss, in default twentyfour hours’ imprisonment. Richard Legg, who was charged with having been found in a state of helpless drunkenness, was convicted and ordered to nay 17s 6d medical expenses. A fortnight in which to pay was allowed. THEFT OF BICYCLES. In the case of a man, thirty-one years of age, who was charged with stealing three bicycles, the Magistrate ordered that his name should not bo published, on tfye ground that as liis, father was a well-known police officer, it might hamper him in the execution of his duty. Thq charges against accused were that about December 27/ at Christchurch, fie stole a bicycle valued at £B, the property of Thomas Hugh Mitchell; that about December 24, at Christchurch, he stole a bicycle valued at £B, the property of some person unknown ; that about December 24, at Christchurch, he stole a bicycle valued at £B, the property of some person unknown. Accused, who was represented by Mr K. M. Gresson, pleaded guilty to the three charges. Mr Gresson said that the case was an unfortunate one. Accused, who was the son of a police officer of many years’ standing, had had the misfortune to lose his position as an ironworker owing to lack of work. The drop from £7 per week to nothing had led to the thefts, which were more stupid than criminal. He asked that accused should be admitted to probation, and also that his name should be suppressed, not in his own interest but in the public interest, because the duties his father had to carry out woifld -be rendered more difficult if accused’s name was published. Sub-Inspector Simpson pointed out that accused had taken every precaution to cover up the identity of the bicycles. The Magistrate said he would adjourn the case until to-morrow in order to the probation officer time to make further inquiries regarding accused. In the meantime he would order that accused’s name should not be published. SWANN IN COURT. Reuben Breheret Ignatius Swann, the Christchurch accountant who was arrested in Auckland recently charged with the theft of £32, the property of the Clark Construction Company, was brought before the Court this morning on that charge, and on the application of Detective-Sergeant Connolly, wTio said that probably further charges would be preferred against accused, a remand for a week was granted. On behalf of the accused, Mr T. W. Rowe applied for bail. Detective-Sergeant Connolly asked that the bail should be made- substantial. The police had had difficulty in locating accused, and he believed that when accused was arrested he was preparing to leave the country for good. Mr Rowe: There is no fear of him leaving the country. Bail was allowed in £2OO and one surety of £2OO.