COURT NEWS

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1938, Page 3

COURT NEWS

MISSING PRISONER Judge’s Reprimand [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 14. When James Patrick Shivnan, aged 46, a blacksmith, was ordered to be placed in the dock in the Supreme Court, to-day, on a charge of robbing William Plymouth Brown, aged 71, a retired man, of £l9O, on December 19th, and using personal violence the prisoner was missing. His counsel, Mr R. H. Boys, explained that the prisoner had been in the court at 10.30 a.m„ with his bondsmap, but had left. The Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers): The Courts, Mr Boys, are working as you know, under very high pressure. It is not the time of the Judge that does not matter, but the time of the country does matter, and the time of the country is being wasted and the Court’s business cannot go on because a man for trial chooses to go away without any authority from anybody. He knew he had to be here. Mr Boys: And he was here. He was here with his bondsman. Sir M. Myers said that the Bench warrant would have to be issued for the prisoner’s arrest, but just then Shivnan arrived. “I shall not ask him any questions at present.” said Sir M. Myers, as the prisoner entered the dock. The Crown allegation is that while Brown was sitting on the prisoner’s bed at the prisoner’s bach, the prisoner came in, took him by the throat and held him while he relieved him of a packet of notes. The case is proceeding. INDECENT ASSAULT. NAPIER, February 14. In the supreme Court, Charles George Wilmot Palmer was found guilty of indecent assault on a male, and was remanded for sentence. NAPIER, February 14. Edward Patrick Leahy, and William John Thomas were found guilty of breaking, entering and theft, and theft only, respectively. They were remanded for sentence.