MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2151, 18 May 1914, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

TWO THIGVB3. . SPECIALISED IN OVERCOATS. Two thieves, who appeared before Mr. D. G. A. Coonc-r, S,M„, on Saturday morning, were reported to have boon associated for sotao weeks in Wellington, and recently they appear to have made a specialty of thefts t*f overcoats. They ' were called. upon fo answer separate charges. James M'Donakl, alias Cliotc, appeared on remand, charged with tho theft of an overcoat valued at £-3 10s., the property of David Bobson. The accused pleaded guilty. Chief Detective UroWg informed the Magistrate that there wen'' previous convictions-.against M'Doflald for the crime of theft, ami ho was already serving a sentence of one, month's imprisonment for a theft similar to the one to which ho had nisi pleaded K"ilty, In the present case, the prisoner had disposed of ■ tho coat to a second-hand donler for 3s. Tho Magistrate passed a sentence of one month's- imprisonment and made mi order for tho coat to bo returned to its rightful owner. "Concurrent?" inquired the prisoner when lie heard the sentence. The Magistrate replied in the affirmative, the sentence to bo concurrent with the one prisoner was already serving. Harry West, alias' M'Bean, who was said to havo been seen in company with on several occasioiis, admitted stealing, from Te Aro ITo-itso, an overcoat valued at. £2 os., hut denied the theft of another overcoat (valued at £1 10s.) the property of some person unknown. Both overcoats had been recovered from tho shop of a serond-lihiid dealer and tho. Magistrate, affeir hearing the evidence on tho second charge, was of opinion that West should be convicted of that theft as well as the one ho lind admitted. ■ Chief Detective Brobcrg, fn mention ing that there were five previous convictions against the orisoner for theft, in-, formed tho Magist-rnto that a larae of overcoats had heesi stolen in Wellington quite recently. West was sentenced io one month's imprisonment on rnrh. charge, I lie sentences.to be cumulative, A HOnTINa FIREMAN*. _ A sturdy-looking man, named Herbert Yorke, pleaded guilty fo :s oti;\n.:c> of assaulting J. Iveriw.v. The offence bad taken place on the .steamer Kia Oia on Friday. Sub-Inspector Sheehan stated {hat Yorke. who was a fireman, Imrl been n troublesome man fftr some tiiot*. On Friday ho got. drunk, went to tho stewards' rjuartors, breame very abusive, and linallv assaulted Ivi'iney. A sentence of -IS hours' imprisonment, was passed, the Magistrate ordering that, if tlis Kia Ora p ailed in the mean-

time, the prisoner .should .he placed on board tlio vessel. ■' ■■ '''■' INSOBRIETY, James'M'CuirOj'on a charge, nf drunkenness, was lined 10s. in default to undergo -IS hours' imprisonment. ■ Andrew Somiiiorviiioj similarly charged, was remanded until io-ihiv.

Several first offenders-for insobriety Were, convicted and discharged..;.,. ... -J:.-