THEFT OF A BICYCLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1943, 22 February 1919, Page 2

THEFT OF A BICYCLE.

FINE OF £lO INFLICTED

At the local S.M. Court yesterday, before Mr Page, S.M., Edmund Boyle was charged by the police with the theft of a gent’s bicycle, the property of Robert Coley, of Foxton, valued at £5. Accused was undefended, and elected to be dealt with-summarily. Inspector McKinnon pi-oseeuted on behalf of the police.'

Robert Coley, labourer, Foxton, deposed that in March last year he left his bicycle outside a shop in Main Street. Upon returning to gel (ho bicycle, after the lapse of a quarter of an hour, it had disappeared. He reported the matter to the police. He recognised the bicycle, produced in court, as Ins properly, except that it had handles, seal and wheels. The sjifcn-c parts, produced, belonged to the original bicycle. On the *271 lx January last lie recognised the bicycle in a local bicycle shop. It bad been left there for repairs. He informed the police. He did not give any one authority to nse the bicycle.

To the S.M.: He never lent the bicycle to accused; nor did he ever work wilh accused.

Dareey Ball, hairdresser, Foxton, recognised the bicycle in Court as the one lie borrowed from accused to ride into Foxton from the beach. He punctured the bicycle, and took it to get repaired. Coley saw it at the shop, and said it was his bicycle. Witness said he had borrowed it," and intended to return it to the owner, Boyle.

Constable Woods staled that the bicycle had been reported as missing in March of last year. It was recovered on the 27th of January last. He interviewed accused, who made a written statement to the effect that it had been left over his fence. Accused was willing to return it to the owner, ami expected him to call for it.

A (‘cased, in evidence, said the bicycle was lying inside his fence for about six weeks. He ruined his own bicycle, .ami used the one left on his properly. He bartered portion of bis own bicycle for a rake. The IVres were worn out, and be replaced (hem. He had made no secret of liaving (he bicycle, and had often ridden it into Foxton.

To Inspector McKinnon: Found (lie bicycle in July or August last. He changed the wheels and handles because I lie latter was more comfortable than the original. He didn’t make any enquiries for the owner or inform (lie police. There were plenty of bicycles left lying about on Sundays near his property. He valued the bicycle at about £5 or £G, After it had been lying I here for six weeks lie didn’t see any harm in using it. The S.M. said on his own statement he must convict him of thclt. He was clear it was his intention to keep the bicycle for his own use. He would be convicted and lined £lO and costs, the line to be paid in monthly instalments ol: £2, in default one month’s imprisonment. The bicycle was ordered to be returned to the owner.