Napier Man Gaoled For Car Conversion

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 2

Napier Man Gaoled For Car Conversion

SEQUEL TO ACCIDENT (Special to “Times”) NAPIER, Feb. 2. • • Tfiiar is me case oY n man in a po* ufcion of trust who took the car for joy-riding,” said Mr. J. Miller, S.M., in the Napier Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning iu sentencing James Cameron, of Napier, motor-car painter, to one month’s imprisonment for the anlawful conversion of a motor-car. “We had a similar case before the Court some time ago whon imprisonment was imposed, and I do not see why it should not be bo this time.” Accused, who was represented by Mr. W. S. Averill was also convicted on a charge of negligent driving. Senior-Sergeant W. Pender said thal Mr. McLean’s car, which was valued at £3OO, had been taken away, and was later jfound capsized at Clive. The defendant and a woman passenger had been in it, and although there was 0 suggestion that the accident had been caused by drink, the doctor who examined Cameron was unable to testify to drunkenness, owing to the injuries he had received. Charles AlcLean, traveller, said thal he had left the accused in charge of thi car to havo tho mudgujard painted. Accused had no authority to use thi car, which was insured. Mr. Averill admitted that the defendant was unable to get his own car on the evening, and took the other to look for his own car. After looking for his car for some time accused visited the Country Club, at Havelock, and it was while returning from there he went to sleep at the wheel. “It is only in recent times that the law has been altered to make this class of offence a more serious one,” commented the Magistrate. On the charge of conversion defendant was convicted and sentenced to one month’B imprisonment. On the other charge he was leonvieted and fined £5.” In response to a plea by Mr. Averill, who pointed out that the costs amounted to £5, the fine waa remitted, nnd defendant ordered to pay costs only.