SUPREME COURT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 125, 19 February 1921, Page 10

SUPREME COURT

PRISONERS SENTENCED. By Telegraph—Preaa Association. Christchurch, February 18. Sentences were passed on several prisoners in the Supreme Court to-day by Mr. Justice Herdman. Richard Hichens, for wounding Raymond Rapley at Addington, was sentenced to two years' hard labour. James Watson, for theft from the person and attempted theft, received two years’ hard labour. His Honour described prisoner as a very clever criminal. William Janies Edgar, John William Cleary, Frederick George Chick, and Edward Martin Hand, for breaking, entering, and theft, were severally sentenced. Edgar was given a term of two years’ hard labour, Hand six months’ hard labour, and Cleary and Chick two years’ reformative detention. On a second charge of receiving stolen goods, a conviction was recorded against Cleary, but no sentence was passed. John Quigley, unlawfully on premises, was sentenced to 18 months’ hard labour. Palmerston North, February 18, In the Supreme Court, before His Honour Sir John Salmond, Valentine Joseph Owen was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for theft of turpentine and benzine. "A VICTIM OF SHELL SHOCK.” Br T«l<Mrra.Dh— Progs Agioolatlon. Auckland, February 17. In the Supreme Court a verdict of not guilty, on the ground of insanity, was returned against Alfred Joseph Rjan, charged with a series of cheque forgeries and obtaining money under false pretences. The Crown Prosecutor said accused was a genuine victim of shell shock, and when under the influencer of drink lost his self-control. Other evidence was given that accused was a quiet and industrious man out on license from Tokaaniii, where he was ordered to be detained during the pleasure of the Minister of Justice. SENTENCES AT PALMERSTON. By Telegraph—Press Aeooclatton. Palmerston North, February 17. In the Supreme Court, James Thomas Berrett, for forgery, was admitted to probation for two years; William Snow, for common assault on a little girl, was sentenced to a month’s hard labour; William Henry Grant, for theft of jewellery from a dwelling, was ordered three years’ reformative detention, to be concurrent with his present sentence. Alexander Alfred Jesse Burling, for false pretences, was admitted to probation for two years.