WILFUL DAMAGE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 7 April 1927, Page 3

WILFUL DAMAGE.

WHILE UNDER INFLUENCE OF LIQUOR. CASE IN COURT. Pleas of guilty were entered by Denis O’Rourke, who was charged, in the Magistrate’s Court this morn- I ing with being found drunk in Steward Street, yesterday, and with damaging plumbers’ spotting and guttering to the value of 10/-, the property ,of Air W. Englefield, thereby committing the offence. of mischief. Messrs J. 1. Hayman and P. Grant: J.P’s., were on the Bench. Sergeant Peterson, of Timarc, said that accused had gone into Mr Englelield’s yard yesterday and wilfully crushed some spouting. He was under the influence of liquor at the time. Accused had a long list of convictions against him, but he had not been before the Court for seven years. He had only 5/- belonging to him, and could not pay a substantial fine. The Sergeant added that he considered that if accused was dealt with lightly he would not come before the Ctt’.rl again. I To the Bench, accused said ,h ,j , had not got work to go to, but -he might get work among the potatoes. He had nothing definite to go to at present for he had only just finished his last job and had not had much time to look for anything. The Bench said that, considering the fact that accused had not been before the Court for seven years, they were inclined te treat the case leniently. Accused was convicted and order J ed to pay the amount of the damage, 10/-.

The Bench added that they hoped accused would take note of their leniency, and not come before the Court again.