WITHERED HAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1925, Page 2

WITHERED HAND

BETTING CHARGE DISMISSED

The failure of the police to observe a withered hand on a man alleged to have carried on betting operations at Yai'ravillc, Victoria, on Februaiy 28, •was the factor tlrat induced Mi. Smith, P.M.,' to recently dismiss a charge against Laurence Edward Sheehan, for street ■ betting. Mr. Smith remarked that the evidence of identification had left a doubt to the benefit of which the defendant was entitled. H<? thought it was peculiar that although ' police had been detailed to watch a man they had failed to observe that he had a withered hand. Constable Morrison said he saw a man approaching Sheehan, who was standing outside an hotel, at the same time saying, “10s. Valiard.” Sheehan accepted 10s., and appeared to write in a book. He had Sheeham under observation for some time, during -which period other meu approached him. In answer to counsel for defence witness said that the defendant appeared to make an entry with his right hand in a perfectly normal manner. Mr. Martin claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity. His client’s right hand, which had been injured in the war, was absolutely hplpless. To Write with this hand was. a physical impossibility. Sheehan, on oath, declared that his right hand was powerless.