OFFENDER SENTENCED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5007, 30 July 1926, Page 2

OFFENDER SENTENCED.

LENIENT TREATMENT ABUSED.

THREE OFFENCES IN NINE DAYS.

The third appearance of James Hedley at the Paeroa Police Court eventuated yesterday morning, when he was charged with drunkenness in Belmont Road on Wednesday evening. Messrs W. Marshall and P, E, Brenan, J’s.P,, were on the Bench. Constable McClinchy drew attention to the fact that Hedley had been before the Court on similar offerees on July 19 c 'and 26. On the last occasion he had been dealt with very leniently, but ha.d abused the consideration shown him, broken his promise, .and failed to leave the town when ordered to do so. Accused’s bank-book showed that he had drawn £l5 from his account since Monday last, and he had only twopence in his possession when arrested. Witness said that evidence could be produced to show that accused was in possession of! a bottle of methylated' spirits, which had been ta,keh from him on Wednesday. Accused was believed to be a good tradesman, and it was a disgrace to see him squandering money at the rate he was doing.

Ac'cused admitted that he had broken his promise to refi’ain from drinking. He was willing to take out a prohibition order if given a final chance. In regard to the methylated spirits accused said that he had purchased the bottle to use; externally, and he had no intention of drinking the contents.

The Bench stated that ac'cused had not only broken his word, but had grossly abused the tonsideration that ha.d been previously shown him. Apparently a fine was no deterrent. He would be sentenced to 14 days’ hard labour at Thames’ Gaol.

ANOTHER OFFENDER CONVICTED.

A middle-aged man named Samuel Saxon pleaded guilty to drunkenness, in Ndrmanby Road on Wednesday afternoon.

Constable McClinchy said tha,t accused was a stranger to the town, but had been previously convicted recently at Thames. Accused was in receipt of a war pension, which he was, apparently squandering. It was a shame to see a man in his position, a,nd ill-clad, wasting money on getting drunk. There were far too many undesirables coming into the town at present, and in fairness to the local law-abiding public an example should be made of them. Accused said that he had a heavy cold and had drunk too much whisky in an effort tel get rid of it. He had a steady job to go to and wduld get out of the. town as soon -as could. The Bench remarked that it had been noticed that offenders always had steady employment to go to wnen brought before the court, and it was a pity they did not look after their jobs and keep out of trouble. A conviction and fine of £3, in default 7 day’s imprisonment was entered. A FIRST OFFENDER. A first offender appeared on a. charge of drunkeness -in Normanby Road on Wednesday," and was, convicted and fined £l, in default 48 hours’ (imprisonment at Paerbla lockup.