MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 267, 5 August 1920, Page 7

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THREE" YOUTHS AND A MOTOR-CAR. A comparatively small charge sheet was , presented at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning.' Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., ' was on the bench. ■ Archibald' John Kirk was convicted of drunkenness (his third oflence), and was fined 205., in default three days' imprisonment. On a charge of using threatening behaviour in Cuba Street with intent to commit a breach of the peace, he was fined '405., the alternative being seven days' imprisonment. Harold Venour was remanded t6 appear in Dunedin on Saturday on a charge of failing to provide adequate maintenance for his wife and three children.. At this stage, Mr. Riddell, having another engagement, retired from the bericll, .and Messrs. I. . Salek and; John Smith, J.P.'s, .hoard the remaining cases on the list. John Lesllo Batson, Reginald Stunt, and Horace Smith were Charged with unlawfully and without colourable right taking possession of a motor-car, the property, of F. T. Moore, of Johnsonville, and damaging the tame to the amount of £40 135., also with damaging a window and padlock to the extent of 455. They wore furthor charged with the theft of motor,accessories to the value of £4; also thoft of benzine, etc., value £12. Chief Detective Ward prosecuted. Mr. A. B. Sievwright appeared for two of the acouscd and Sir. A. J. Luke for Stunt. The facts were that on the evening of July 20 the three accused went to the garage of F. T. Moore, Johnsonville, broke, the window of (the garage, smashed the padlock, and took possession of a motor-car, also three tins of benzine, a rug, a complete set of repair tools, etc. Thoy drove the car at a great speed to IVanganui, where they abandoned it in a'- damaged condition. They were apprehended later somewhere near jffuntcrviUe on a oharge of theft, in respect of which they were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Tho ladß pleaded guilty to all the charges, and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.'.