MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24904, 18 June 1946, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

MONDAY (Before Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M.)

CONVERSION OF MOTOR-CYCLE Raymond Thomas Quaid, a soldier, aged 20 (Mr D.’ W. Russell), pleaded guilty to converting to his own use a motorcycle valued at £55, the property of Frank Allan Watts.

A constable iiad seen the accused in the city shortly after 9 p.m. on Saturday, said Sub-Inspector G. J. Paine. The accused had tried the doors of two motorcars, and had then crossed the road and tried to start a motor-cycle. The constable had asked him if he owned the motor-cycle, and the accused had admitted that he had no authority to touch it. Mr Russell said that Quaid came from a respectable • family and was a corporal in J-Force. His superior officers spoke highly of his character and ability. He had been drinking on Saturday, and his offence had been a stupid one, as he could not ride a motor-cycle. Remarking that it was fortunate for the accused that he had not succeeded in making away with the motor-cycle, the Magistrate imposed a fine of £lO.

CHARGE DISMISSED •“This is a matter of grave suspicion, in view of the unsatisfactory explanation of the accused; but the witnesses for the prosecution cannot identify the frock, .and I have no alternative but to dismiss the charge,” said the Magistrate after he had heard evidence against Gladys Sibling, a married woman, who pleaded not guilty to stealing a child’s frock, valued at 16s 9d, the property of T. Armstrong and Company, Ltd. Evidence was given by two shop assistants that a frock had disappeared from the shop. One witness had later seen the accused with a child in a pram, and the child had then been wearing a frock similar to the one stolen. Neither witness could definitely identify the frock produced in Court as the one stolen from the shop. Detective R. H. Watt said that he had interviewed the accused, who had said that the frock had been given to her by a woman, whom she had met at a euchre party. . Mr R. A. Young, who appeared for the accused, submitted that the evidence had not established an offence, and asked that the charge should be dismisesd. TIRAFFIC CASE Thomas William Gray pleaded guilty to a charge of permitting a motor-vehicle to be used without an endorsed certificate and licence. He was fined 5s and ordered to pay costs. (Before Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M.) DISMISSED A charge of Sunday trading against Douglas Jefferies (Mr W. R. Lascelles) and a charge against Patrick Clanun of assisting in the commission of Sunday trading, were dismissed. The accused were charged on June 6, when decision was reserved.