SUPREME COURT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 November 1927, Page 9

SUPREME COURT.

THREATENING LETTERS TO A GIRL.

A RETIRED MAN CHARGED. An unusual case was before the Supreme Court yesterday in New liymoutli, when Stanley R. A. AVood, a ■retired Indian civil servant, was charged with writing threatening letters to a girl in Inglewood. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr. C. hiAVeston) said the letters threatening violence were either written seriously, as a. joke, or by a man mentally afflicted. Accused was generally regarded as eccentric, but his infatuation ioi the girl was most chivalrous at the outset. AY hen he received no encouragement and liis courtship appeared hopeless, his mind apparently became filled with murderous intent. Counsel said that the accused would not have the assistance of a solicitor in his- defence because he did not wish to have the girl cross'-exaniined. He added that accused had been under observation by. the medical officer who would say he considered him irresponsible when the letters were writ The girl, in evidence, said accused had commenced paying her attention about four years ago hv leaving books •and other presents for her. When protests by her relatives were found unavailing, the threatening letters began. Accused admitted having written all the letters. The father of the girl and Constable Longbottom botb gave evidence- as to the accused being regarded as eccentric, while Dr. Waters, of Pormia. •said lie considered him not responsible for his actions, but believed a cure was possible. _ Accused, in reply to Jus Honour, made a violent verbal attack on the medical officer and the system of control at- Pori hi a. which he considered quite uncalled for, as he was a sane m an. Accused added that his defence would occupy three hours, and the ease was adjourned until to-day. TWO YEARS’ PROBATION. STOLEN AVHISKY. Horace Alfred Tweedale, who was arrested on the liner Ala he no at Auckland when leaving for *Sydney on August 5, was charged with the- theft of a motor tyre and breaking and entering the railway goods shed at New Plymouth’ and stealing eight cases of whisky, with theft alone of whisky, and with receiving the whisky knowing it had been stolen. He was found guilty of receiving, and was acquitted on the other four charges. He was granted two • years’ probation and ordered' to pay not- less than £26 a. year for two years towards the costs of the prosecution. Accused was alleged to have disposed of the whisky to a sly-grogger in the King Country.