BICYCLE THIEF.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20329, 12 June 1934, Page 8

BICYCLE THIEF.

Sentenced to Term of Imprisonment. LIED TO MAGISTRATE. “ There is nothing to be said for Clarke. Absolutelv nothing. He was up before me on Friday last, and he lied like a ... I was going to say something, but I’ll not. However, he lied and lied,” said Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, in sentencing John George Clarke to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour on each of three charges of stealing bicycles. Clr r ke, a labourer, twenty-four years of age, of Beaumont Street, and William Peter Anderson, a stable hand, twenty-two years of age, of Fitzgerald Avenue, were jointly charged with stealing three bicycles of a total value of £9 10s. Anderson was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called on within twelve months, a condition being that he accept the first available offer of work from the country.

Mr Lascelles, who appeared for the accused, said that Clarke was a married man with four children. Last week he had been fined for riding a bicycle without a light. The Magistrate: And for obstructing the police. Continuing, Mr Lascelles said that Clarke could not find the money to pay the fine, and he had stolen the bicycles. Unfortunately he had persuaded Anderson, who was on probation, to assist him.

In sentencing Clarke, the Magistrate said he deserved no consideration, and he would put him in a place where he could work for his wife and familv. Anderson’s was a much more difficult case. He had a bad record, but he would give him a chance.