WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 12025, 11 December 1901, Page 3

WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT.

[bt TELiaaipn.] Dunedin, Tuesday. The case of Ireland, whose sentence of twelve months’ imprisonment for vagrancy by the Court was quashed to-day after the man had served twelve weeks, presents some unusual features. The man had £24 19s Gd in his possession when convicted by Mr Graham, S.M. The sentence was appealed against, and Mr D, D. Mac Donald, accused’s counsel, went to the gaoler, the latter refusing to allow Ireland to use his money or sign the appeal, on the gronnd that the regulations were against it. The Minister for Justice was appealed to, and gave instructions that the man was to be allowed to use bis money and sign the appeal, but by this time the seven days allowed for a general appeal had lapsed, and proceedings had to be taken by stating the esse. The delay prevented the case coming before the Judge prior to his leaving to attend the Court of Appeal. The case was argued last Wednesday and a decision given today, The man has thus served 12 weeks with the hard labor gang. He will probably petition the Government for compensation.