CONVERSION OF CAR.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18165, 1 November 1930, Page 7

CONVERSION OF CAR.

YOUNG MAN IN COURT. RECENT ARRIVAL FROM ENGLAND. » REMANDED FOR SENTENCE. Described by Sergeant Harley as a recent arrival from' England, John Charles Hamley Brain, dged 21 years, appeared, before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning, charged with converting to his own use three motor cars in the vicinity of the Hamilton Hotel last evening. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted on one charge and remanded till Tuesday to permit of further inquiries being made about him. Evidence was given by two newspaper boys, who stated that they saw accused tinker with three cars outside the Hamilton Hotel. He had tried to start one car without success, and then endeavoured to open another, but could not force the looked doors. He finally started a Baby Austin, and drove It for several yards. One of the boys called out to accused to stop. The boys, informed the owner of one of the cars, Mr Fisher, of the Para Rubber Company, that his property had been interfered with. Fisher subsequently accosted accused, and handed him over to the police. Accused denied that he had tampered with Fisher’s vehicle. Plea for Accused. Mr Fergusson, for accused, explain.ed that his client, who had arrived from England about a month ago, was Interested in Austin cars, and had only been inspecting them. The fact that he had blown ihe horn and .switched on the lights was not consistent with the charge preferred against him of conversion. Accused was slightly under the influence of liquor at the time, and it was this that had prompti ed his foolishness. His Worship considered that the accused must be convicted on the charge in respect of Fisher’s car. When asked if anything was known of accused Sergeant Harley 'explained that he had been working on a farm for several days, but was discharged when discovered reading a book in a paddock when he should have been working. The class of -offence with which accused was charged was too prevalent, the sergeant told his Worship, and were it not for the .promptitude of the two boys, James and Priscott, one of the cars would probably have been stolen. Cars were disappearing too frequently.