MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 136, 4 March 1919, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THEFT OF EMPLOYER'S MONEY

AFTER-EFFECTS OF INFLUENZA

A young man named Philip Trevor Liddy was brought up for sentence before Mr. F. V. Frener, S.J!., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday on a charge of baring stolen ..'-It 10s. by failing to account for it to his employer, Albert Francis Tonks, of the Wellington Bread Company, Ltd. When he entered the dock accused had n further charge preferred against him of having, between- December 1. 1918, and February If, 1919, received various sums totalling £U 13s. 8d.., and did fail to account for them to the Wellington Bread Company. Detective-Sergeant Cox said Liddy pleaded guilty to tho first charge on February 2<i, and was remanded for sentence until yesterday. Evidence was given by Detective-Ser-geant Andrews, who arrested accused, that the latter admitted having appropriated to his own use sums of money amounting t0,',£16 3s. Bd. Liddy said he received i! 3 per week wages, and got his bread free of charge. He had used the money for paying his own debts. Mr." J. M. Dale, who represented Liddy, said it was unfortunate that the man was on probation in connection with some trouble respecting a railway certificate. The Central Mission had taken him in hand, and he wa3 getting along all right, when he was attacked with the influenza, ■ which was _ also responsible for the death of his wife. These two circumstances seemed to affect him, and, unfortunately, he took money from a generous employer, who had treated him well, in order to pay his debts. If given another chance perhaps the Central Mission might take him in hand again.

Mr. Mills, probation officer, said he did not think the accused was properly balanced. '

The Kev. Dr. Pinfold informed the Court that he did not believe tho man was normal. lie had not been the same man since losing his wife and contracting the influenza.

His Worship was of opinion that the best thing to do was to sentence the defendant to undergo reformative detention, with a-recommendation that he be sent to a prison, farm.

On tho second charge Liddy was sentenced to two years' reformative detention, and on the first ho was convicted and discharged. "It does not mean that you will have to ■ stay in gaol for two years," said Mr. Frazer to Liddy. "It moans that if the Prisons Board is satisfied with your behaviour it will let you out on license."

OTHER POLICE CASES. ■ Joseph- Cairney pleaded guilty to a charge of having been drunk whilst in charge of a horse and cart/on Saturday. Aetiug-Sub-luspeetor Emerson stated that defendant was found lying in the bottom of a cart in Courtenay Place. Tho horse wn3 being driven about, however, and Cairney was lashing at it. As a matter of fact, ho had no right to tako possession of the cart at all, as it belonged to a friend. They went into a hotel' to have a drink, J>ut whon defendant came out he made off with tho vehicle. "A man. who is drunk when in charge of a horse and cart is a nuisance and a danger," re'marked Mr. Fruiter, "and it is moro expensive if he comes Iwfore the Court for it." Cairney was fined -£1, in default 72 hours' imprisonment.

Thomas Coomes Cooper was fined £3, in default 'W days' detention, for Rising obscene language, and was convicted' and discharged for drunkenness.

One first offender, charged with insobriety, was ordered to pay £1 Is. medical expenses, another was convicted and discharged, two were fined ss. each, and seven were each fined 10s.

Amelia Burt was ordered to..,pay 2s. 6d. per week fm\ the support .of her child, and £'i 12s. Gd. for past maintenance.