SCENE IN COURT

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 25, 31 January 1933, Page 8

SCENE IN COURT

THREAT OF ARREST.

MOTHER'S DEFENCE OF SON.

ADMISSIONS CONTRADICTED.

A mother who attempted *o help her son by defying a magistrate was threatened -tfith arrest at Christchurch on Saturday. The hoy, who appeared in the Children's Court, was charged with assault and theft. It was alleged that he stole a watch and two shillings from a ship in Lyttelton, and that he took £6 from the wallet of a coat pocket in a dressing room at the tepid baths. Previously the boy admitted the assault and had been remanded, but things took an unexpected turn when he appeared on Saturday.

Chief-Detective Hammond said that since his last appearance in Court the ■boy had "cleared out" down to Lyttelton, and had stolen from a ship there. When he feared detection he threw the watch into the water.

A man. in the back of the Court said that he would like to speak on behalf of the boy's, mother. "Who are you?" asked the magistrate, ilr. H. P. Lawry, S.M. "You have no right in here." y Later the man was ordered out by the police. The mother was then asked if she had anything to say. "You have to show that he is guilty first," she stated. "But he has admitted it," was the

reply. "He only said that because the detective threatened him -with a thrashing if he did not/' said the woman. "Were you there!" asked Mr. Lawry. — No - The magistrate then started to question the hoy, but before he had finished the mother interrupted. "Keep quiet!" she was ordered. "I'll talk, too," she defied. The Court still showed patience, but the 'woman was told -to sit down and keep silent.

"But I think I will stand, and if you question him, I will, too," she stated. "You will go to gaol if you talk like that/' said the magistrate.

Persuaded rather definitely by some Court officials, the woman sat down and remained silent for the rest of the

hearing. Questioned by the magistrate as to why he was contradicting his previous admissions, the boy stated that he only made them to get away from the police station.

"We will have the truth of this matter," said the magistrate. "He will be remanded till next week in the custody of the child welfare officer, and the witnesses must attend."