SUPREME COURT

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 November 1928, Page 4

SUPREME COURT

YOUTH’S FRAUD.

(Per Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, November 20. Allan Edward Tubman, aged 20 years, charged with fraudulently stating that he had posted a letter containing money, whereas he had not posted it, appeared for sentence.,.. , . Tubman had purchased a motor cycle on a time-purchase agreement, and as he was unable to pay. the instalment on it; he claimed to have posted the amount, whereas lie had not done so. ■ Accused was sentenced to twelve months’ detention in a Borstal institution. ;

JURY DISAGREE.

GISBORNE, November 20.

At the Supreme Court to-day, before Mr Justice Ostler, the case of George Campbell, charged with setting fire to the stables of the M?ikaraka Hotel, in which the Jury disagreed last session, occupied all day, ttnd after a four hours’ retirement, Ithe Jury again failed to agree.

On the Judge’s advice, decision on the matter of a third trial was held fiver till Thursday, to allow the Crown prosecutor to communicate with the “Attorney General.

STEP-FATHER ACQUITTED.

PALMERSTON N., November 20.

The Supreme Court to-day was occupied with the re-trial of Robert McConkey, carpenter, employed at the Aorangi Freezing Works, on a charge of indecent assault of his stepdaughter aged under sixteen, the jury returning a verdict of not guilty. At the previous trial, he was found guilty, but the Court of Appeal ordered a re-trial on the grounds that certain evidence for the prosecution, had been called after Mr Craven’s case had closed. ' - - - - HABITUAL CRIMINAL

AUCKLAND, November 19.

In the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Frazer sentenced Charles William Wahle to three years* hard labour for breaking, entering, and theft, and two years’ hard labour for false pretences, the sentences to be concurrent. Prisoner made- an appeal for a reduction of the sentence, pleading that since his youth he had never had a fair chance, and offering to make restitution to the extent of £lOO. The Judge said that prisoner had a shockingly bad list, apart from further charges, which he said he had, been prepared to admit. The best course was to inform the authorities that prisoner was an habitual criminal, and leave them to decide the ptoper course after sentence had been served. SEASIDE~THEFTS PALMERSTON N„ Nov. 21. At the Supreme Court Cecil Francis Jellie, 32, salesman and steward, on two charges of breaking, entering and theft from, seaside cottages at Otaki, was ordered reformative detention for two years. PALMERSTON N., November 21. - At the Supreme Court before Justice Smith, Keith Drysdale (19), labourer, Allan Drysdale (18) motor mechanic, James Leonard Webb (20), labourer, f . Howard Kenneth Stratton (20) farmer, William Rikihana (27) storeman, were sentenced for breaking, entering and theft at Levin. Keith Drysdale, described as the ring-leader, was ordered three years’. Borstal detention; Stratton, three years’ probation; Allan Drysdale, two years’ probation, Webb three years’ probation, Rikihana two years’ reformative detention. An order was made for restitution of the stolen property and payment of the cost of the prosecution.