POLICE OFFENCES.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17295, 5 November 1921, Page 7

POLICE OFFENCES.

SUPPRESSION OP NAMES. (special to "the pbbss.") AUCKLAND, November 4. Mr Poynton, S.M., emphatically refused to prohibit the publication of an accused person's name this morning. Ada Penkcth had pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court to a charge of having committed mischief by v wntuliy damaging a window valued at 30s. Mr singer (lor defendant) said ho did not wisn to go into tne detail ot tne case anil uistross nis client, wnose hrst appearance it was in Court. Trie blocking of tne winuow was accidental. Dotoudant was assaulted by complainant, and threw a hammer in sell deieuce, the missile going tarougn the winuow. The deicudant was convicted and ordered to pay 30s damages. Mr Singer: \\ ould your Worship prohibit the publication of my client's names' Mr Poynton: She is over 21. Mr Singer: She is a first offender. The S.M.: I cannot help that. She is over 21. Mr Singer: It is only fair in the interests of my client and her children tnat you should prohibit publication. The S.M.: They will not get their names suppressed by me if they are over 21. If they are under that ago, and first offenders, I will keep them out, not otherwise. This is the rule, and I will not depart from it. If 1 granted this everyone would want the same thing. 'Mr Singer: If sh e had committed a crime 1 would not ask for it. The S.M.: Well, you admit she threw a hammer at someone; instead of hitting him on the head it went through the window, luckily for her. Mr Singer: Will your Worship tell me— The S.M.: It is no use discussing it. I refuse to suppress the name. If 1 depart from the rule every drunk or other offender who conies hero will want the same thing in his or her case. iMr Singer: Will your Worship give any indication as to in what cases the Court exercises the discretion allowed it when the person is over 21? The S.M.: That will do. I will not argue the matter.