MINOR CRIMES.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 59, 11 December 1924, Page 2

MINOR CRIMES.

THEFT AND FALSE PRETENCES. Several cases have been brought before the Putaruru Police Court of late, special sittings being held with Messrs. R. Alcorn and J. Barr Brown as the presiding justices. THEFT OF CLOTHING. A native youth named Tewi Pehi pleaded guilty to the theft of clothingvalued at £3 5s 6d, the property of Patrick Casey. It appeared that in leaving a farm where he had been employed accused entered the room of Casey, another employee, and helped himself to several articles of clothing. On this being discovered the police were informed, and apprehended the offender. The clothes were recovered, but had sustained some damage. Tewi was fined £1 and costs 10s and ordered to pay £1 damages to the owner of the clothing. “ STRANDED MOTORIST ” STORY. An aggravated offence was that of John Scott, alias Le Ferre, 22 years of age, who was charged with being an idle and disorderly person, havingadopted the ruse of saying he had been stranded through breakdown of •his car, to obtain board and lodging, but leaving at the end of a few days without paying* for the accommodation. In attempting this at Putaruru, accused was arrested" and remanded by the local Court to Rotorua, where he was sentenced to six weeks* imprisonment. INEBRIATES. On Monday morning two first offenders for drunkenness, who did not appear, had the amount of their bail, 10s each, forfeited. FALSE PRETENCES. Described as a draughtsman by occupation, Charles Stewart, aged 54 years, who was obviously suffering from the effects of drink, pleaden guilty to charges of obtaining £2 from J. R. O. Lochhead and £1 from G. P. Portas by false pretences. The prosecution detailed that Stewart called on Mr. Lochhead and on Mr. Portas, the local solicitors, with a request for temporary financial assistance, stating* that he was going to Arapuni to take up a position as engineer there and would shortly repay the money. He embellished the story and was given the cash. He then tried the same tale with other local residents and was apparently spending the money in drink. The police were informed and accused was arrested.

Constable Murphy stated that nothing was previously known against Stewart.

The Court warned him of the seriousness of taking to crime, especially at his age. Fines totalling £4 and costs 14s were imposed and accused was ordered to refund the £3. He was given two months in which to find the money, in default one month in Mount Eden gaol.