UNUSUAL CHARGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 52, 29 January 1938, Page 11

UNUSUAL CHARGE

BOGUS POLICE OFFICER. INCIDENT AT MARTON. In tlie Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., Maurice O’Connor, a labourer, aged 32, of Invercargill, was charged that, on January 26 at the Junction Hotel, Marton, he stole £3 in money, the property of Blanville William Muir, and he was also charged that lie unlawfully assumed the designation of a member of the Police Force “Sergeant Power, of Palmerston North.” Accused pleaded guilty to both charges.

Detective-Sergeant Meiklejolm said accused went to the Marton Show and there saw an argument take place between a certain man and a stallholder. Accused told the man later that he was “Sergeant Power, ' of Palmerston North” and had. been asked the man to produce money to show he was “a man of substance.” Accused received £1 and then covered it with £l, thereafter receiving £2 more from the man. Accused told the man to see if the stall-holder was still there, and when the man returned accused had gone. Accused was later found at the bar of the hotel, and although he denied lie had any money except 9s, the pound notes were found in one of his socks when he was searched at the Police Station.

Accused admitted having been before the Court on a number of occasions, but said he was at present receiving £4 a week compensation for an accident sustained on the Wellington waterfront. Drink had been the cause of his other appearance in Court, and was the reason for the incident at Marton.

On the impersonation charge accused was fined £5, in default one month’s imprisonment, and on the theft charge he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.