IMPRISONMENT FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27664, 21 May 1955, Page 2

IMPRISONMENT FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES

JUDGE REJECTS PLEA OF FALSE EVIDENCE (New Zealand Press Association) tv/t t AUCKLAND, May 20. Mr Justice Fililay in the Supreme Court in Auckland today refused to accept counsel's plea that a man now in prison had," on his own admission, given false evidence against Seager Ryman Denize Potter, aged 40. land agent (Mr D. S. Beattie). His Honour sentenced Potter to three years' imprisonment on each of three counts of indecent assault, one of an unnatural offence, and of aiding and abetting an unnatural offence, the terms to be concurrent. He could well believe, his Honour said, that when Potter met the other man in gaol while awaiting sentence, he had persuaded him to make a statement which would clear Potter. Mr Beattie said that a man called Barlass. who had been involved in some of the offences of which Potter had been found guilty and had been sentenced, voluntarily admitted to the orison authorities that the evidence he had given against Potter was untrue. Mr Beattie said he had good reason to believe that the evidence of others incriminating Potter was also untrue. His Honour said that even if Barlass’s evidence was discounted there was other evidence against Potter which the jury had accepted. In any case, if Barlass had lied to the Court he would have been merely incriminating himself. His Honour said he was struck by the fact that the story Barlass had made to the police was the story he told the Court. Potter and other men were parties to a campaign of sexuality. his Honour.-said. In imposing sentence he was taking into account Potter’s previous good character. Mr Beattie indicated that he intended to lodge an appeal.

Papal Benediction.—The Pope last night broadcast over the Vatican Radio the Apostolic Benediction to all Roman Catholics on the occasion of the opening of the Eucharistic year.—Vatican City, May 19.