THEFT OF VEGETABLES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1932, Page 13

THEFT OF VEGETABLES

A labourer named Robert Torpy, wh» was arrested at .5.25-p.m. yesterday with the pockets of his overcoat filled -ftitli vegetables, failed /to convince Mr. E. Page, S.M., of his innocence" when h« pleaded not guilty at the Police Court today to two charges of theft, on th« ground that he was too drunk at the 'time to remember what-had occurred.

Constable Young said that he arrested the accused after he had been told'that Torpy had stolen gome vegetables from a Chinese fruit shop in, Cuba 6treet. Inside the accusted'f coat he found some spinach and in his pockets a marrow and some peas. He then took the accused to the Chinaman's shop, and the. peas and spinach were identified; The marr.ow did not belong to the Chinaman, :however^: and as far ..as could be. ascertained, it had been taken from another fruit shop in Cub* street. While iv the, Chinaman's shop the accused tried to escape through the back door, and a struggle ensued when the .constable prevented him. Cons'tabl* Young and Sergeant Edwards, said that tho accused' had had liquor, but was-nibt.suffi-ciently under its influence to-bei arrested for drunkennegs. .'■■". ■'. V ■■ ■■; ' '

.. Mr. Page, fined the-accused -sBl oh eaclii of the two charges of theft, arid £5 for resisting Constable Young. "Default;.of. payment was fixed at one month's' imprison* ment. -..;.". .. ... .'..•. :,;..... . .. :