SUPREME COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 247, 21 November 1914, Page 10

SUPREME COURT.

PRISONERS SENTENCED.

A YEAR'S GAOL

Stanley Austin Joseph Suckling, found guilty of indecent assault, was set forward for sentence.

Mr Raymond said that there was no previous conviction against the accused. His Honour said that the offence was a serious one, and the punishment must be severe. A sentence of 12 months' imprisonment was imposed. A CASE FOR HORSE-WHIPPING. Charles Thornton, a youth, was set forward for sentence on a charge of indecent assault on a six-year-old boy to which he had pleaded guilty in the lower court. The prisoner was repre l sented by Mr Spratt.

His Honour: This was the case where the father, coming along, nearly horsewhipped the man, is it not? Mr Baymond: Yes, your Honour.

His Honour: I think that' would have been the best way of dealing with the matter, don't you, Mr Baymond? Such action would settle many of these cases.

Mr Baymond: I think the father would have 'been quite justified, your Honour.

His Honour: The question is not one of justification; but I think it would have been the best thing to do. The difficulty in connection with the case was that there was a doubt whether or not the depositions disclosed an offence. Mr Baymond said that the depositions seemed to have been very inadequately taken. There was considerable discussion between counsel for both sides, and his Honour as to whether the facts disclosed were sufficient to justify a charge of assault. Various suggestions were made, such as that his Honour should direct the prisoner to alter his plea and send the case back to the Magistrate. His Honour reserved his decision, and the court rose at 1.40 p.m.