COURT NEWS

Grey River Argus, 4 August 1936, Page 8

COURT NEWS

(Pei Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 3. “The jury has probably been guided by th c belief that others have been associated with the prisoner, and have escaped apprehension.” said Mr Justice Fa-r, this morning, in the .Supreme Court when sentencing to two years’ hard labour James Billing, on a charge that, with intent to commit theft, he attempted to render incapable of re-sistair.-e, J. G. Worboys, manager of Hie Point Chevalier branch of the Auckland Savings Bank, on the afternoon of May 14th. The jury had added a strung recommendation to mercy. Prisoner’s counsel, Mr Sullivan, made a strong plea for mitigation, on the ground that Billing was not normal. Mr Hubble, fur the Crown, said that the offence of a I tacking a bank official with intent to facilitate a crime, was very serious. His Honor said that the crime was very grave. The weapon used was a heavy piece of lead piping, and had Worboys been struck full on the head, instead of a glancing blow, the consequence might have been fatal. In spite of prisoner’s previous .11-health, and inclination to give way to drink, lie apparently knew what h e was doing. Crime of this kind must be met bv adequate punishment. WANGANUI, August 3. Mr Justice Ostler, addressing the Grand Jury, at the opening of the Supreme Court session, this morning, discussed the importance of these juries, and said that he would be sorry if they were abolished.