JOY-RIDERS CAUGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2864, 28 March 1925, Page 3

JOY-RIDERS CAUGHT.

ONE MAN IMPRISONED. TWO OTHERS TO PAY DAMAGE. Auckland, March 23. On Saturday evening at Devonport, Dr. Wheeler’s motor car was found to have been removed from outside his residence. Yesterday it was recovered, damaged to the extent of £23. As a sequel three men, Baden Powell Crocker (25), Alfred Rhodes Ensor (24), and Richard Hc-m-y Ridings (451 appeared before Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., at the Police Court each charged with converting Dr. Wheeler’s motor car to their own use. Crocker was also charged with failing to comply with the terms and conditions of his release on probation.

Accused all pleaded guilty. Sergeant Rowell said that on Saturday evening the three accused drove the car away to Albany over bad roads. The car when recovered yesterday was damaged to the extent of £23. Crocker, who drove the car away, was placed on three years’ probation only eight months ago for converting a motor car to his own nse. It was a serious matter to deprive a doctor of his motor car. On behalf of Ensor, counsel said that his client was a married man, and had never been in trouble before. Counsel for the other_two accused described the affair as the result of a “drunken freak.” Ridings was a first offender. Crocker was only 24, and had performed well while on probation. Counsel appealed for another chance for Crocker. Mr Poynton: Crocker must got imprisonment this time. Only eight months ago be was placed on probation for interfering with another person’s motor car, and now lie deliberately goes and breaks bis probation order. I would not bo doing my duty in fining him now —that would only reduce probation to a farce. Crocker will be sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, while bis probation will be extended another two years. The. other two accused will each he convicted and ordered to come up frtr sentence within 32 months. They will also have to each pay £ll 17s towards making good the damage done.