SUPREME COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 107, 9 May 1927, Page 11

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

(Before Mr. Justice Stringer.)

Mr. Justice Stringer, presiding judge at the quarterly sessions, now in progress in the Supreme Court, will be absent from Auckland to-morrow week (Tuesday, May 17). his presence being required out of town on the War Pensions Appeal Board. His place on that day will be taken by the Chief Justice, Sir Charles Skerrett. Charges Against Elderly Man. Emmanuel Sefont, an elderly man, was indicted to-day on two serious charges— indecent assault, and attempted indecent assault on little girls. The charges referred to different children and on different dates. Mr. Paterson prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr. Dickson defended.

Evidence on the first charge was given by a girl of nine years. A tiny child, called to give evidence, could hardly be seen over the rail of the witness-box, and her voice could scarcely be heard. She 6tood alongside his Honor's chair on the judge's bench to make her statement.

Accused's Denial. Detective McWhirter read a statement signed by accused, in which Sefont said he was 75 years of age. He lived at Ponsenby. During his spare time he made mats and models of sailing ships. He was often at the bade of the Imwm where be lived, and sometimes he spoke to three little girls who used to play near by. He had occasionally given them pennies, in order to get them to go away, but he had never committed, or attempted to commit any act of indecency on any of them. .On one of the dates named he was in the wash-house. He was sitting down, and his clothing might have beA disarranged, but he did not deliberately disarrange it, nor had he attempted any act of indecency. When the charge was read out to accused, he said: I suppose that means I shall have to go to gaol." Addressing the jury for the defence. Mr. Dickson said evidence would be called to prove that the children were a positive pest to the old man, annoying him when he wanted to work or to sit quietly. Several times he had given them coppers in order to induce them to go away. One child bad lifted up her dothes and had kept demanding money from him. Accused was a man of excellent character, and he had never been in any trouble before.

Instruction to Counsel. His Honor instructed Mr. Dickson to reserve his general remarks until after evidence had been called. "Often/' said his Conor, "I have to instruct counsel that all they must do in their preliminary address is to indicate the lines of the defence. The evidence is what is of first importance." Evidence in support of counsel's statements was given by three witnesses. (Proceeding.)