SUPREME COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 196, 17 August 1920, Page 4

SUPREME COURT.

(Before Mr. Justice Stringer.)] ONE-TONGA LAD'S ESCAiPADE. "He has given mc his hand on it tha_ he will do his utmost to obey the terms of -lis probation," said the Probation Officer (the Rev. F. R. Jeffreys) when Thomas S. B. Fletehcr (Mr. Prendergast) came before Mr. Justice Stringer at the Supreme Court to-day for sentence on a charge of breaking and enter* ing a house at Onehunga. Mr. Prendergast _aid that Fletcher was about 20 years of age and until he' got among evil companions had had a. good character. He had been convicted in the Lower Court on a series of charges relating to the theft of benzineMr. J. A. Tole, the Crown Prosecutor, pointed out that the accused, having admitted four charges of theft in tha Magistrate's Court, was technically; almost a habitual criminal now. The Probation Officer said that ths offences were a series and formed really only one charge. His Honor told the accused he had run a narrow escape from a considerable term of imprisonment. He would ba leniently treated, however, and would ha,vs an opportunity of redeemins himself and freeing himself from undesirable associates. A period of three years' probation under strict supervision was imposed. GUILTY OF rXTJECEXCr. A verdict of gmltv was brought against Arthur Boyle alias Georire Jone* l-tir. Osburue-Lilly), who was tried yesterday on a charge of indecent exposure and using obscene language «d Xftrrow Neck bea_h on June 11. The jury added a rider stating thai they considered the offence was committed while the prisoner was under influences due to di-a'S-tities contra-v-ted on active ternee, Sentenca was deferred. VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. The re-trial of Thomas Stephen Richard Fletcher (Mr. Prendergast) on a charge of assaulting a Chinese market gardener at M'anjrere resulted in a verdict of not guilty.