IN THE COURTS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10302, 11 January 1927, Page 2

IN THE COURTS

THEFT OF PAIR OF 1 TROUSERS

LEADS TO .THREE MONTHS FOR Vagrancy.

. A pair of trousers taken from the' shop *of Mr H. H. Miller, tailor, was responsible for the appearance of Percy Randle before Mr E. C. Levvey, 3.M., yesterday. In addition to a charge of theft lie was charged with obtaining the "trousers by means of false pretences and also with being idle and disorderly in that he had insufficient lawful means of support. Accused pleaded not guilty on all counts.

The charge of theft was taken first.

Sergt. Dempsey said that accused had obtained the trousers from a boy in Miller’s shop by representing that lie had arranged for delivery with Miller.

Henry Hamilton Miller, tailor, said lie made a pair of trousers to lit accused. Accused came in with a friend and was measured for them on the understanding that they were to be_ paid for when delivery was taken.' Witness had not given accused'‘permission to take delivery of the trousers without paying for them. Rex Morse, a boy in Miller's employ, said lie was alone in the shop on Saturday last when accused came in and asked for the trousers. Accused said he had arranged with Miller for the delivery and found them himself in a workroom and took them away.

Constable Thompson said he arrested accused who was then wearing the trousers.

Accused said he had not meant to steal the trousers but fully intended to pay for them. He had a job to go to at AVhangara. The charge of vagrancy was next heard against Randle. Constable Thompson said lie had known accused for' the past six or seven weeks during which time he had done no work. Several complaints. liad been received at the police station regarding him. Ho had no money and was a “waster.” Sergt." Dempsey said accused was one oF the undesirables and had done no work since he arrived in Gisborne. His main assistance came from a woman. „ , “AW will look after you for three months Randle,” said the Magistrate in sentencing accused to three months’ imprisonment on the charge of vagrancy. Accused was convicted and discharged on the charge of theft. The charge of false pretences was withdrawn.

“SILVER BETTOR” FINED £25

AUCKLAND. Jan. 10

A fine of £25 for carrying on the business of a bookmaker Was imposed on AA'illiam Doolan in the Police Court. Senior Detective Hammond said accused was a billiard-marker and was a “silver bettor,” dealing only m small amounts.—P.A. ATTEMPTED THEFT FROM - PASSENGER. ONE MONTH'S GAOL. . AUCKLAND, Jan. 10. When AA'illiam Morgan, aged 58 years, described as a visitor from Australia, came up for sentence iu tlie Police Court to-day for attempted the:t from a passenger cn the ferry boat, Senior Detective Hammond said the accused was wellknown to the police.. He broke into Kolms’ jewellery slicp in Auckland in 1011, stealing a large amount ot jewellery, and escaped to America, being extradited and sentenced to five years’ hard labor, followed by four years’ reformative detention. His last sentence was one of twelve months for keeping a brothel. However, one thing m accused's favor was that lie had been working bard lor the past four years; his hands showed that.

Mr. Singer, for the accused, said Morgan wished to return to Australia. -

The Magistrate, Mr. Hunt, passed a sentence of one month's imprisonment.—P.A.

ALLEGED BREAKING. ENTERING AND THEFT.

RE-ARRESTED MAN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

AUCKLAND, Jan. 10.

AYm. Hoggard, aged 59 years, who was re-arrested after Justices of the Peace had dismissed a charge ot breaking and entering a tobacconist’s shop and stealing articles valued at 6s fid, was to-day committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

Accused asked that the case be dismissed, on the grounds, that the evidence was not strong enough, hut the Magistrate, Air Hunt, said he thought there Was a-case to answer.P.A. THEFTS FROM HOUSES AND SHOPS. EIGHT YOUTHS COMMITTED- FOR SENTENCE. AUCKLAND, Jan. 10. Eight youths, Geo. James Dale, Thus. Henry Mclntyre, Hector Donald Connolly, Noel Desmond McGonagle, Edward Campbell Eaton, Alfred John Travers, James Norman Richards, and Cyril Patterson, all under twenty-one years, pleaded guilty in the Police Court to-day to a series of charges of theft from shops and dwellinghouses during the Christmas holidays. The total value of the goods and jewellery stolen was £203 11s. It was stated that in nearly every case entrance to the houses had been gained by breaking windows during the absence of the owners. Accused were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence, bail beiug allowed at £SO in each case.—P.A.