VOLUBLE OFFENDER

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 11, 7 October 1927, Page 17

VOLUBLE OFFENDER

AMUSEMENT IN COURT “I regret the occurrence as I am not in the habit of using bad language in front of the public, 1 ' Such '.was the explanation of Stephen Quinn, who was charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with having used obscene language. Messrs. A. A. Gower and R. W. Burbidge, J.P.’s, were on the Bench Before the case came on, Quinn, who was standing at Ihe back of the Court, thought that a witness in a traffic case was not speaking lend enough and shouted out, “Speak up! speak up! speak up!” The Court. Crier was out of the Court at the time and nothing was said to the interjector, who continued to call out. Shortly afterwards, the two J.P.’s were conferring on the matter of a fine when Quinn said, “Hah! Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean!” The Court Crier this time subdued the offender. Quinn was then called . before the Bench to answer his charge, whereupon lie proudly announced, "I used to be a soldier!” “Did you use had language?” asked the Clerk of the Court. “Oh, I supnose I did,” was the answer. After he had been silenced, two or three times, the J.P.’s asked him if he wanted to make any explanation, to which he scornfully replied, “No, not me.” Inspector Averv of the Traffic Department stepped . into the witness box and stated that on August 30 his attention was drawn to two men standing on, the footpath opposite the John Street points. One of these men ' was using obscene language in a very loud voice. As ,(here were a number of people about, witness had to leave the points and go to Quinn who. on being asked to stop, answered in an abusive manner. He refused to move away and also refused to give his name and address. He kept on swearing. Witness had to walk away because of the number of women and children around When interviewed Inter Quinn stated that he remembered witness and said that “the wine had got the better of him.” Witnes was the object of some derisive remarks from accused who, after being fined .£3 and costs, was escorted from the Court by the orderly.