MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24614, 10 July 1945, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

MONDAY (Before Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M.) REMANDED Norman William Golden, a labourer, aged 24 (Mr D. J. Hewitt) was remanded to appear next Monday on a charge of indecently assaulting a male. PREACHED WITHOUT PERMIT Francis William Heal was convicted on a charge of preaching in Cathedral square without a permit from the City Council, and was fined £5. “I am not guilty before my God of any offence against any person,” replied Heal, when asked how he pleaded. On June 25, the same day as Heal had been convicted of a similar offence and fined £l, he had again preached in the Square, said Sergeant S. B. Holt, in evidence. Heal had been told to go to Latimer square, for he held a permit to preach there. Heal stated that he was not getting justice and would continue to • preach where he was. ‘May I be permitted to make a full statement of my case?” asked Heal. The Magistrate: I do not want a religious address "I have tried to get interviews with the civil authorities, so that I may state my case to be allowed to preach, but they have refused to hear me,” said Heal. ‘ I have offered co-operation with the principal religious bodies, but have met with blank refusal. "After V-E Day, when challenging statements were made in the Square.- I felt a Divine commandment laid on me to follow the example of my Master. I fear no man; I fear more that God who is my Master, and I preach not to make trouble, but to do my utmost. To that purpose I have sacrificed everything.” The Magistrate remarked that Heal had a permit to preach in Latimer square. Heal replied that it was so. but it was an arbitrary decision and he could not accept it. The Magistrate: There is a time and place for everything and in cities local authorities have responsibilities and duties in regulating traffic. The City Council is authorised to make by-laws foe controlling traffic, and it is the duty of all citizens, including Christians, to obey these bylaws. I am sorry to see that you • have not followed the counsel I gave you when you were here last time." "I was not given a chance to defend myself," said Heal. “I want to subpoena certain eminent persons to give evidence that I have gone about the Lord’s business in an orderly way.” After the Magistrate had imposed the fine,' Heal said: “I will work it out,’ and before he was ordered to stand down, inquired how he stood in regard to the previous fine which he stated he would “work out." PROHIBITION ORDER OFFENCES Minnie Mary Ethel Hillgrove (Mr J. K. Moloney) pleaded guilty to a charge of procuring liquor while being a prohibited person; She was fined £l. Charged with accompanying Hillgrove on licensed premises, knowing her to be prohibited. James McDonald Osborn pleaded not guilty, and said his defence was that he was unaware that she was prohibited. Senior-Sergeant J. Abel asked for a remand until next Monday, as a police witness had failed to appear. In granting the remand, the Magistrate said that if Osborn was convicted it would be taken into account that he had to appear in the, Court a second time.