"ACTED LIKE FOOLS"

Evening Star, Issue 22443, 14 September 1936, Page 12

"ACTED LIKE FOOLS"

MAGISTRATE'S SHARP COMMENT YOUNG MEN IK TROUBLE "You should’ be ashamed of yourselves; you were going to take two respectable girls to a dance, and then you acted like fools in the street,” said the magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle, S,M.) in the Police Court this morning to Thomas Aaron Biddle (24) and Cecil Ernest Coding (21), who each faced charges of drunkenness and of converting a motor truck to his own use. The two accused, who were represented by Mr J. G. Warrington, pleaded not guilty to both charges. At 9.20 p.m. on' Saturday, said Senior-sergeant Packer, a constable noticed the two accused in Cumberland street at a truck. Goding was in the driver’s seat, and Riddle was at the starting handle. Together they were trying to start the truck. When they saw the constable they went away, but the constable was suspicious and watched them. They returned to the truck, and when the constable came along they again left, this time singing. A. third time they returned to the truck, and when accosted by the constable one said that they had been asked to drive the truck, and the other said they were to take two girls to a dance Mr Warrington stated that it was admitted neither owned the truck or had authority to touch it. Evidence was given by John Aspinal White, garage proprietor, who had had instructions by the owner of the truck to drive it on to the street, William M'Leod, owner of the truck, and Constable Clark. The accused were on their way to a dance, and their partners were waiting for them, said Mr Warrington. They had consumed some liquor, and had one bottle with them in Cumberland street. As there were people about, they decided to step into the truck cab to drink rather than give a public performance. After they had left the truck they looked back, and, seeing the lights turned on, thought they must have inadvertently turned them on. They went back, and by accident one stepped on the starting pedal on the floor of the truck, and turned the engine over. Evidence was also given by the two accused who maintained that they were not very drunk. If they had been they knew they would not have been admitted to the dance. Both accused wore seen by the constable, said the Magistrate, and they were acting suspiciously, but in view of the discrepancy in the statements made in evidence he was in some little doubt in the matter concerning the conversion charge. They did not make any attempt to take the truck, so the charge would be dismissed. The charge of drunkenness against both accused was adjourned for 12 months on condition that they take out prohibition orders, and to pay expenses amounting to 17s 6d.