“ CHARGE IS TRIVIAL,” SAYS MAGISTRATE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18575, 25 September 1928, Page 1

“ CHARGE IS TRIVIAL,” SAYS MAGISTRATE.

UNPAID WAGES CAUSE A HEATED ARGUMENT. In the Magistrate’s Court this morning, Sidney Pearce was charged with assaulting Percy Henry Wetherley on August 35, and with stealing a bicycle, valued at £B, the property of Percy Henry Wetherley. Chief-Detective Carroll said that the accused worked for some time with the complainant Wetherley. They broke up partnership, and accused wanted money due to him, which the complainant was not able to pay. Accused later met the complainant and demanded his money. There was some dispute about how much money was owing. Accused struck the complainant and took a bicycle from him. Complainant went to the police station, and there the matter was smoothed over, but after that accused again struck complainant, and took away the bicycle. Percy Henry Wetherley corroborated the police story. He said the amount that he owed the accused was. £3 ss. He had given the accused no authority to take the bicycle. A statement was-read by a constable in which the accused said that he had wheeled the bicycle along a right-of-way, and it had not been there when he came back. Mr Woodhead said that; the bicycle had been put in a right-of-way near the Shades Hotel. A man coming out of the hotel borrowed it, and when he came back he put it in a shed at the back of the hotel. It had been there ever since. Accused, in evidence, said that he was annoyed at not getting his money; and struck Wetherley. He said that he had a good mind to take the bicycle as security, and Wetherley said “ Take it.” “ I don’t want to hear any more,” said the Magistrate. “ The charge of assault. is dismissed as being trivial, and the charge of theft is also dismissed.”