A SERIOUS PRANK.

Shannon News, 5 April 1928, Page 1

A SERIOUS PRANK.

LEAP-YEAR INCIDENT. A charge that, while armed with, a shot gun, he w-as found by night, without lawful excuse, in a bedroom occupied by two Maori girls, w r as preferred against a young man, Lester Cossiboom, at the Pukekolie Police Court last week. Accused pleaded guilty and in a statement to the police admitted visiting the house at Port Waikato at 10 p.m. On February 29th. Ho admittedentering the prenjjses armed with a shot gun and wrapped in a blanket to disguise his identity. He did this as a practical joke as it was 'leap year night. The girls, according to the statement, received a terrible fright, but after a few minutes accused reveal ed his identity. He then gave one of the girls 2s 6d to keep the incident a secret. One of the girls reported the incident to her father, who apprehended Cossiboom and received £1 -with a promise of more to “sing dumb.” The latter, however, conveyed the facts'and the £i note to the police. The Bench characterised the incident as a thoughtless but nevertheless serious prank rather than one of criminal intent. A stern warning to leave guns and Maori girls alone in future was issued to accused, who was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. An application by accused for the suppression of his name was flatly refused.