SAILOR STOLE RUM

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1024, 15 July 1930, Page 1

SAILOR STOLE RUM

WAS REFUSED A “HALF HANDLE”

£1 FINE INFLICTED

Refused a “half handle” at a city hotel last evening, Lees Trevelyan Devlin jumped on the bar, took a bottle of rum and left for Northcote immediately. Devlin, described as a seaman or labourer, aged 29, appeared at the Police Court this morning, charged with the theft of a bottle of rum valued at 13s 6d. He pleaded not guiltj-. Albert Marshall, a barman. said that at 5.00 o’clock last evening he refused a “half-handle” to Devlin, who appeared to be intoxicated. Shortly afterward he missed a bottle of rum and chased accused, who got away on a Northcote ferry. Another witness said he saw Devlin jump on the counter and take the bottle of rum from a shelf. BOTTLE UNDER COAT

Constable Warneford said he had accosted accused at Northcote on the arrival of the ferry, and accused him of the theft of the rum, but accused had denied it, though the bottle could be seen under his coat. Devlin had struggled with witness when being arrested and jumped on the boat going back to Auckland, witness following him. Devlin had been placed under arrested on the br,it, but the bottle had by then disappeared. Asked what he had to say, Devlin told Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., that his only excuse was that he was drunk. Sub-Inspector Shanahan said accused had a lengthy list of offences, mostly committed while under the influence of drink. “Drink seems to be his trouble.” said Mr. Hunt. “He is fined £1 and costs £l. and ordered to take out a prohibition order against himself. Default was fixed at seven days and Devlin was ordered to make restitution of the value of the rum.