WHISKY IN HOUSE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 203, 27 August 1943, Page 4

WHISKY IN HOUSE

TWO MEN SENTENCED

ACQUITTAL OF THIRD

Remarking that he had no hes" tation in accepting the evidence of Sergeant Adams and Constable K eo ghan against that of the defendants' Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., in the p o ij ' Court to-day, convicted Leo Pet.., Manning (3S), a hairdresser Donald Lamon (29), barman ' 0 n charge of keeping liquor fo r on August 11. The magistrate sen tenced each to one month's imprison ment. n "

The cases were heard yesterdav the magistrate reserving his decision until this morning. Manning a nS Lamon, for whom Mr. J. J. Sullivan appeared, pleaded not guilty a similar charge was preferred again« James Graham Crawford (23) was represented by Mr. Trevor Henry. Crawford, too, pleaded not guilty.

Yesterday evidence was given bv the two police officers that while in hiding in the washhouse of a house in Heme Bay on August 11 they saw Manning and Lamon arrive in a car driven by Crawford. After listening to a conversation between a woman at the house and two of the defend, ants.

Sergeant Adams said he entered the kitchen of the house and found 23 quart bottles and two pint bottles of whisky. This had been taken to the house by Manning and Lamon

It was submitted by Mr. Sullivan that the evidence disclosed that the whisky was in the possession of the woman, who was not before the Court in any capacity. When the police entered she had a bottle in her hand, while a corkscrew was on the table. Manning and Lamon would absolutely deny that the liquor was ever in their possession. This liquor had been brought to the house at the woman's request, counsel stating that Manning and Lamon were innocent victims. They had merely obliged the woman. At no time did they have the liquor in their possession.

This morning, after sentencing Manning and Lamon, Mr. Levien added that he would give Crawford the benefit of the doubt and dismiss the charge against him.