CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9433, 3 June 1896, Page 6

CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

Tuesday, Jcnb 2.

(Before his Honour Mr Justice Denniston.) The criminal sessions were resumed at 10 a.m. HOESKBREARING AND THB— *. John Wilson and Wm. Jenkins were indicted for having, on March Btb, at Southbridge, broken into tbe house of Geo. Henry Galyer and stolen articles of clothing to tbe value of 10s. The accused, who were undefended, pleaded " Not guilty." The facts of the cose were that the accused called at the house of Mr Galyer on March Bth, got some food aud went away. About 8 p.m. Mr Galyer left his house and when be returned in three hours he found his house had been broken into and certain articles of clothing taken. The accused were arrested next day at Rakaia and some of the stolen property was found in their possession. Wilson admitted in the lower Court that he had stolen the articles, while Jenkins had apparently only been in his company throughout. Evidence was given for the prosecution, and Jenkins gave evidence in his own behalf, adm'ttiog being in Wilson's company on March Bth, but denying having stolen the goodß. The accused addressed the jury, and his Honour summed up. The jury, after a quarter of an hours retirement, returned a verdict of " Guilty" against Wilson and " Not guilty " against Jenkins. Jenkins was discharged, and his Honour sentenced Wilson to three months' imprisonment, the fact of his having" been two months in gaol awaiting his trial being taken into consideration. LARCENY OI" A BICYCLE. William Perry was indicted for having, on April 10th, stolen bioycle, value £20, the property of Henry Soanes. The accused, for whom Mr Donnelly appeared, pleaded " Guilty." Mr Donnelly said the accused was a carpenter, and up to the time of this affair he had been a steady hardworking young man. The cause of the occurrence was that the accused got under the influence of liquor, and while in that state had committed the theft. James Munday and E. Thompson gave evidence as to the good ch-ractar of the accused, and Chas. Large, Geo. Devereaux and Kiddle (the latter having bought the bicycle for £2) proved the accused was the worse for drink on the day in question. His Honour said it was a cose in winch he was justified in taking a lenient view of the transaction, as there appeared to be au absence of the usual criminal element. He ordered the accused to pay £10, the costs of the prosecution, and to cuter into his own recognisance of £25, to be of good conduct for six months. LARCENY FROM THE PERSON. Annie Murdoch was indicted for having ou March 19th stolen one £20 note and nine £1 notes from the p„son of Thomas Ballantine. The accused pleaded '• Not guilty." Mr Stringer said the facts of the case were that the prosecutor, who was a carpenter, came to Christchurch on March 18th and was paid £30 by his employer, in a £20 note and nme single notes. He got drunk that day, and about midnight he found himself in company with the accused, and went with her to her house. A disturbance took place, a man, who had since disappeared, and the woman assaulting the prosecutor, and after he left the house his money was gone. On the following day the accused told a friend she had taken a man down for £30, and subsequently changed a £20 nbto at the Royal George Hotel. Evidence was led for the prosecution, and the accused gave evidence in her own behalf. The jury, without retirement, returned a verdict of ** Guilty." It waa the first time that the accused had beeu convicted of theft, and his Honour sentenced her to three months' imprisonment. BURGLARY. Samuel Northey was indicted for having, on February 21at, broken into the countinghouse of F. C. Raphael and stolen £18 in money, a gold watch, value £20, and other articles of jewellery. Mr Donnelly appeared for the accusal, who pleaded " Not guilty." The case for the prosecution was that on the night of the occurrence Mr Raphael's clothes were taken from his bedroom and were found on the lawn next morning. His keys, including those belonging to his office, were missing, and it was also found that the back window of the office, a building situated a few yards from the dwellinghouse had been prized open. The safe had been opened apparently with Mr Raphael's . own keys, and two cash boxes containing , the money and jewellery had been taken away. A bracelet and a brooch, which had . been identified by Mr Raphael, were found last month at a Chinaman's house in a port- [ manteau, which had been left there by the r accused. Evidence for the Crown was then led. r Mr Donnelly addressed the jury. r His Honour summed up. [ The jury retired to consider their verdict, ; and after a quarter of an hour returned with a verdict of •• Not Guilty," aad the [ accused was discharged. INDECENT ASSAULT. Stephen Barrett was indicted for having committed several indecent assaults at Ash- ' burton. The acctwed, who was undefended, pleaded « Not Guilty." He was found''Guilty" on twoindiotmente, and sentenced to three months' imprison- ' ment on each, the sentences to run concur--1 rently. ' The Court then adjourned till 10 a.m. 1 to-day.