CONVERSION CHARGE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20311, 22 May 1934, Page 8

CONVERSION CHARGE.

Man Failed to Return a Borrowed Car. Having failed to return a borrowed car within a period agreed upon, Joseph Charles Marks, twenty-eight years of age, a labourer, of Estuary Road, appeared before Mr E. D. Mosley, SAI., this morning, charged with unlawfully converting a Chevrolet car to his own use. He pleaded guilty and was convicted and discharged. On a second charge, of driving without a license, he was fined 10s and costs. The conversion charge related to a car valued at £2OO. the property of Margaret Greaves. Mr Russell, who appeared for Marks, said that, a plea of guilty to technical conversion would be entered. Chief-Detective Dunlop said that accused was given the use of the car by complainant. He stated that he wanted it to go and get a bicycle, which, however, was found to be nonexistent. When the car did not turn up the matter was reported to the police. Accused was quite frank when the position was explained. He had not been before the Court before for anv serious offence. Mr Russell said that he was instructed that when the car was returned Marks did not know the police had been notified, and he returned it himself voluntarily next morning. On the day when he had been given the use of the car he was instructed to return it at 4.30 p.m., but he had not returned it until next day. It became conversion when he failed to return the car under the instructions of the owner. The man had been in a little bit of trouble. Mr Mosley (looking at the police lists): A little bit of trouble? Mr Russell agreed that the chiefdetective had stated the case fairly. The accused was convicted and discharged on the conversion charge on payment of 7s 4d, the value of petrol used.