MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1716, 20 August 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

OHEISTCHUEOH. Wednesday, August 20. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., E.M.] Dbuhk and Disorderly.—The case of one inebriate was adjourned for a week, as the individual was unable to appear, being an inmate of the Hospital. Larceny.—Ernest Giles and George Best, two lads each eleven years of age, were charged with stealing 16s from the shop of Herbert Bonnington, a storekeeper, carrying on business in Sydenham. Giles pleaded guilty and George Best not guilty. Mrs Bonnington deposed that, on the 18th instant, the two prisoners were in her shop, at ten o’clock, under the pretence of buying buns. The till, which was in a desk, contained fifteen or sixteen shillings. About eleven o’clock after the boys wore gone, she went to the till,and found all the money but fourpence gone. Constable Brooks deposed that, from information he received, he went in search of the boys and found them in Montreal street. He took them in charge, and told them they were charged with stealing from Mrs Bonnington’s store. Best said “ 1 did not steal the money, I kept watch, Brny (meaning Giles) took the money.” He also said, “We did not get sixteen shillings at all, we only got thirteen shillings and fourpence.” Witness then locked them up. The two prisoners made a statement to the witness of a number of places they had recently robbed of small sums of money, purses, cigars, toys, pipes, spectacles, chocolate, mugs, cigar holders, &c. The articles, a most heterogeneous collection, were handed up to the Bench for inspection. The father of Giles stated that he was an incorrigible boy, whom no punishment he had inflicted could reform. He himself was a master mariner, but he could not follow his vocation through the illness of hie wife. He could not afford to pay for his maintenance at the Industrial School. His Worship said he should either have to send him to the Industrial School, or else to gaol, where he would also receive two or three floggings. The former course would be preferable to being perpetually in and out of prison, but if the lad were sent to Burnham the father would certainly hare to pay for him. Sergeant Morice pave an equally bad account of the other prisoner. Although apparently experienced in petty crime, they had not been previously brought before the Court, and his Worship sent each of them to the Industrial School for four years, to be brought up in the faith of the Church of England. Malicious Injury.—Frederick Lane was charged with breaking a pane of glass value 10s, the property of John Percy. Constable Cleary deposed that he heard the smashing of glass in the shop of Mr Percy, at the corner of Hereford and High streets, and the accused running away from the spot. Ho followed and arrested him, and took him up to the lock-up. On his way there accused said he would pay for the glass, and said the constable misunderstood him. What ho did say was —“ That if he had broken the window ho would have paid for it.” Constable Latimer corroborated the evidence of Constable Cleary. John Percy deposed that a pane of glass was smashed in his window last night. _ It was worth 12s. The accused said if he did break the glass he would pay for its being put in aeain. “If he could not get it for five bob ho “would eat it.” First, it was said to be worth 10s, and now they wanted 12s. His Worship said he had no doubt accused had been drinking, and did not remember what he really had done. That was the most charitable construction to put on it. He would have to pay the damage done. Maintenance. —A warrant was ordered to bo issued for the apprehension of Alexander Finlay son, charged with failing to maintain his wife and family.