A SERIOUS CHARGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5136, 8 June 1927, Page 2

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

OLD MAN A MENACE TO SOCIETY.

SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT

At the Police Court, Paeroa, on Monday afternoon, before Mr. F. W. Platts, S.M., an elderly man named Jack Stewart, alias Alexander Angus, alias Angus Stewart, labourer, Paeroa, was charged with using indecent language in the main street, within the hearing of passers-by, on May 17. Mr E. A. Porritt appeared for accused and entered a plea of not guilty, and elected to be dealt with summarily. Senior-Sergeant D. MacLefin conducted the prosecution.

A Paeroa boy, 16 years of age, said that on May 7 he met accused, who stopped him and asked how he was getting on. He asked accused for a “couple of bob” for fun. Accused said that be wouldg ive witness the money under certain conditions, and. then made an improper suggestion. There was another young lad standing by witness when the suggestion was made.

To Mr Porritt witness said that he could not be certain of the date, but it was about 6.30 o’clock in the evening.

Another hoy, 15 years of age, gave evidence on lines similar to the previous witness.

Constable McClinchy said that in consequence of a complaint he had interviewed the accused, who denied ever having accosted boys or used bad language. The accused said that he lived with Mr M. Quane whom he assisted and also worked for the proprietor of the Commercial Hotel. On the day in question he had been away gathering bottles, and got home about 5.30 p.m. He then went to the hotel and milked a cow and delivered the milk at the hotel. After several drinks at the hotel he went home with Quahe soon after 6 o’clock, and did not leave the wharc again that night. He had not spoken to the boys and had no recollection of having seen them, and denied emphatically having used the language complained of. To the police accused said he was 71 years of age, but w?s not drawing the old-age pension. He admitted that Quane had left him for. a couple of minutes to get some change, but during that time no bad language had been used or the boys in question spoken to.

Michael Quane, bottle-gatherer, etc., Paeroa, said accused lived with him and assisted with his work. On the date set out in the charge accused was with him, and left about 1.15 p.m., but they met later on in the evening and had a couple of drinks. They then went home together after 6 p.m. He left accused for not more than a minute in front of the hotel, but did not see a sign of any boys.

The magistrate said that the evidence of the boys was perfectly plain and straightforward, and was quite unshaken by cross-examination.

The police said that the accused had a lengthy list, and was a positive menace to society.

The magistrate said that the- offences were particularly repulsive, and accused would be convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.