LAW REPORTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3122, 28 June 1917, Page 9

LAW REPORTS

SUPREME COURT I'IUSONEES SENTENCED. His Honour Mr. Justice Chapman sentenced thr.«e prisoners in the Supreme Court yesterday. Percy Bernard Overcnd. who was committed f Ol . theft, was tho first to be placed *", the dock. jflr. 11. I>'. OMicary, appearing lor $tc£uscd, said that previously Overend had borne an excellent character. His lapse was apparently caused by an attack of infantile paralysis. Counsel suggested that it was a case for probation. Mr. Macassey stated that, accordiug to the police, accused's position was due to horse-racing. Prior to the offence Overend's character was good. In reply to His Honour, Mr. O'Leary said that there had been no loss to accused's employers, who were tho owners of the goods. The articles had been recovered. The only loss was tho cost of Prosecution. His Honour said that accused bad had a narrow escape from getting severe punishment. In view of his prior good character, however, and the explanation given, he would bo placed on probation for two years. Accused was ordered to refrain from frequenting race meetings and betting, also to pay £5 costs. Jimmy Tauri, a Maori lad, came up for sentence for theft. *~ Mr. Macassey explained that tho youth's parents resided at Wangauui. and he had run away with Barton's Circus. Then ho canio to Wellington and lived at an hotel. While there ho committed the offences.

The case was adjourned untU Friday next, in order that tho lad's uncle might he communicated with.

Jesse James Coombs, aged 44 years, appeared for sentence for forgery at Wanganui.

Mr. 0. H. Trcadwell, counsel for accused, stated that Coombs was an epileptic, and had also mot with an accident, with the result that he had a silver plato in his skull. As soon as he took liquor he became extremely excited. He was tho sou of a Methodist parson, who was dead, and came to New Zealand six years ago. His offence was that of taking a bank book, belonging to a fellow-worker at th» hotel at Wanganui, where lie was employed. In spite of the fact that there was only ]ls. standing to the credit of tho account he forged an order for £12. It was, said counsel, one of the silliest of crimes. Coombs was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, to refrain from intoxicants for two years, and to pay £5 costs.