SUPREME COURT.

Grey River Argus, 24 June 1922, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

WESTPORT, June 22. On Wednesday, before His Honour Mr Justice Adams, the criminal session opened at 2 p.m. The only case called: was Rex v. George Hill. Mr Wilson, (Crown Prosecutor) appeared for the Crown, and the following Grand Jury was called: Thos Perkhouse, Alf Thompson, Pigou, C. Cleary, J. Shanks, J. Powiek, A. Morley, W. G. Carr, A. Colvin, A. Vincent J. McPaddcn, A. Taylor, T. Williams, J. Alenzies, W. Scanlon, P. Ale.Goveran, C. E. Craig, John Dixon, E. AlcAlahon, Al. Bevan, P. Struthers, C. Browning, J. Kiely. W. Alenzies was chosen as chairman. His Honour informed the Grand Jury the only case, was not a very serious one. Prisoner was charged that at Burnett’s Face he indecently assaulted a youth. Prisoner w<qp 21 years. The facts were very simple, end the Jury would find no trouble in arriving at a conclusion. After a retirement of some considerable time the Gram! Jury brought in a “True Bill” embodying both a charge of indecent assault and common assault. George Hill was then placed in tho dock. Air Molony, who appeared for accused, pleaded “Not Guilty” of indecent assault but “Guilty” of common assault. Mr Wilson, for the Crown, accepted the plea of guilty of common assault, and intimated he would offer no evidence on the main charge. His Honour agreed to this course. For prisoner, W. Molony said it was merely a c: se of horse play a common practice at Denniston. It was not a very gross excuse especially considering the environment. The probation officers’ reports were read, and Air Wilson said he agreed with the report that the prisoner was • morally weak. He thought reformatory I treatment w: s the bust thing for tho i prisoner. I His Honour took all the circumstances into consideration. I Air Molony strongly appealed for probation. i Eventually his Honour sentenced accused to six months’ reformative treatment. The sentence to be under the review of the Prisons Board.