THE COURTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18924, 12 February 1927, Page 11

THE COURTS.

SUPREME COURT. (Befoie hi! Htmcur Mr Justice Adams.) SEXT TO GAOL. "Such a man upon the highways ia a constant menace to the lives, limbs, and prol*ity of law-abiding citizens using the King', highway," aaid his Honour whtn senfencing Henry Dcnham to twelve months' imprisonment. "I find it impossible for Icolings of compassion to influence me to an extent that would allow an injustice to the public."

Dcnnarn appeared for sentence on two charges of causing death through negligently driving a motor-car. Tho prosecution was a result of an accident on November 6th, a race day, when, as the outcome of the car ho waa driving swerving across the Riccarton road and hitting a post, a man ai'd a woman, passengers in the car, were killed. Mr Cuthbert appeared for the accused. »eghgcnt driving, he aaid, was unfortunately too common, but in the accused's case the circumstances were tragic. Instead of escaping altogether, or having to face a civil action, he had pleaded guilty to having caused the death of two persona. Seven signed statemerts bad b»en obtained, which etrongly corroborated the accused's assertion that ho was not affected by liquor, and tho accused wished it to be known that he received a blow on tho head at the time of the accident, and that was why he did not stop the car at once. The accused waa a married man. 47 years of age, and had a family. His employers gave him a good character. In view of his previous convictions he admitted jt would have been better had ho been prohibited from driving a car on the last occasion when he was before the Court.

The Crown Prosecutor (Mr Donnelly) said that the evidence showed that Denham drove the car in a most reckless manner, on a road with a large amount of traffic on it. It was difficult to seo how he could be treated leniently in view of his previous record, and he should be prohibited almost indefinitely from driving a car again. His Honour said that he found that he was unable to accede to a request for leniency. Tho offence itself was a serious one, and the, circumstances of two unfortunate persons losing their lives made it more so.

Hig Honour read a list of the previous convictions against Denham. Since 1920 he had been three time* convicted for driving at an excessive speed, twice for dangerous driving, twice for being drunk in charge of a car, and one* for a breach of a prohibition order.

"Such a menace must be definitely and finally dealt with." he said. "One cannot but comment that the leniency shown to tho accused in the past had been a factor in the position jn which he now found himself."

In addition to tho eontence ot twelve months' imprisonment, Dcnham's driver's license was cancelled, and he was declared incapable of obtaining a license as long as lie lived. PROBATION GRANTED. Hichard John Baldwin, aged 18, pleaded suilty to a chargo of forgery. Mr Hunter aaid that tho offence was one of sudden temptation. He would undertake to repay tho money obtained, and had work to go to.

Mr Donnelly considered that the youth should receive such leniency aa the Court could allow.

His Honour thought the case a typical on* fjr j.robation. He ordered prisoner to 'jmko restitution, to pay the costs of the prosecution, and t.o attend aiich evening classes cs the Probation Officer should icquira.

MAGISTERIAL. FRIDAY. (Bofcre Mr E. D. Moslcy, S.M.) "RATHER GO TO GAOL." "I would rather go to gaol than go back to the Mental Hospital," said Mary Sheedy, aged 45 years, who was charged with being a common prostitute in that she loitered in Madras streei and importuned passers-by, and with being an idle and disorderly person in that she failed to give an ncco,wt of bcr lawful means of support and was found in a house in Tuetrt street in company with persons who had no visible means ° nwas'stated that she had been discharged from the Mental Hospital some time ago as Ct W waa convicted and sentenced lo one month's imprisonment on the first charge, and the second charge was dismissed. BY-LAW BREACHES.

Police by-law breaches were dealt with as Ul For : 7ilHon-ridin ? J. B. Aller''"" »«>«J 20a and George A. Ell was fined Ms for aiding the offence. „„i„,.,«i For having no Hghte. on their «*•«■»•• Margaret Alfred, Francia Drake, ErneaLEdmonds, Linda Houghton, George Hardy Liebert, Leslie Midgley, and Walter Robertaon were each fined 10s and coats. The following were fined 16e and cosU each for cycling on the footpath:-M. Alexander, Lance Blytb, Whew Dictae A. R. Hawke \ Eric- Hodren, Frank Ho Hah, A. KciTh'"Stephen Konnard. AUred, Smith, and jJdTstew.it. Hector licKenrie wee conrioted and discharged on a similar dsm. For failing to notify change of ownership of a motor-cycle, A. E. Cowper was fined 10 For nd faiHng" to obey the signal of a conat.'ble on tfafflc duty' David Andrew Gunn F^StoCs^cra'n'd d XoeTShaw was fined S. and cost, for hav number-plstes orMu.jtagj Lester Harris, » ?«»« horse mad* to T..ss the,«f ft KtSside. swerved to pump up tie ■*ja? d 3with the car. ,B i. H ft F tlwTas t conVi»ua and discharged John Hartley W .*? P " U T • on an en CHARGES. Walter Clark, charged with'<£»•,».,£ manner dangerous to «"™f fine d £7 dismissed. ..... charged with negliEdward wieware road in a motorJoseph Henry Mills, "° r on Worfrot^r;ittr light, at night, was ordered to pay coiU.