CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 288, 4 December 1889, Page 8

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

BETTER OFF IN GAOL.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day.

In the Supreme Court this morning, Frank Masters, alias Smith, alias Johnston, an elderly man, who was found guilty on the previous day of a criminal assault on a child of tender years, was sentenced to a term of penal servitude. Four previous convictions had been recorded against the prisoner for indecent exposure, and he told His Honor thab this particular kind of crime was a disease with him, and he was not accountable for his actions. When sentence was pronounced the prisoner became very violent, and this, together with his extraordinary behaviour during tho trial, led to the belief that he was insane. It took four warders to forcibly remove him to the cells. In tho third indictment against Thomas Boys Gambrill, charging him with maliciously wounding a cow, the prosecution entered a nolle prosequi and accused was discharged.

NELSON CRIMINAL SESSIONS,

(Br TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Nelson, this day.

The Supreme Court Criminal Sittings opened to-day. There were only three prisoners. Judge Richmond commented favourably on the Criminal . Evidence Bill, believing it will tend to the acquittal of the innocent and correction of the guilfc*. He ridiculed the provision that no comment is to be ruado on the refusal of a prisoner to give evidence on his own behalf, as a jury would be sure id make their own comments. J—" ,, '-.'