SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1935, Page 6

SUPREME COURT

GRAND JURY FINDINGS. (Per Press Association, Copyright) GISBORNE, February 19. Although there are only two criminal cases for trial, the list of business at the quarterly Supreme Court to-day is the longest for nearly two years, there being six civil actions for hearing. The grand jury found true bills against Ernest McDowell charged with assaulting and causing actual bodily harm, and no bill against Charles Edward Craft, of abduction and unlawful carnal knowledge.

'PRISONER SENTENCED

CHRISTCHURCH, February 19

Leslie Pearce, for burglary, and committing offences when arm e d, was sentenced for five years’ imprisonment by Judge Johnston at the Supreme Court this morning. Pearce had been found guilty of discharging a revolver at a storekeeper at Woodeml and also with breaking into ia warehouse.

Counsel said the prisoner stated h° carried a. gun out of sheer bravado. After being charged he 1 lid assisted clearing up cases. The Judge said the prisoner evidently deliberately preferred to obtain a living by crminal methods. Certainly lie had no respect for the laws of the country.

He had a long list of previous sentences, and would have to bo kept in gaol for a, considerable time as lie bad reached the stage of committing armed burglaries.

OTHER .SENTENCES

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 19,

Trevor-Rliodes Williams was admitted to probation for twelve months on throe charges of obtaining money from his employers Mason Struthers Ltd. Judge Johnston said he had l’cnd the probation officer’s report and the prisoner’s statement. “Tt is obvious from your conduct during the l a st year or so, that you have eompleteJy lost your head” said the Judge, “and your position in sport may have unbalanced you, but that did not excuse the deliberate commission of the crime you committed. The cheques were deliberately signed 'and the jury would not have found you guilty if they did not think you had intended to defraud your employers.” Accused was ordered to refund the amount still owing at tfie rate of 10s •weekly.

A sentence of reformative dention for period not exceeding two veal’s, was passed on fad win Joseph F a nron. a tobacconist, who had been convicted on five charges of receiving stolen tobacco and cigarettes.

The Judge said: ‘’Disclosures of the startling ease with which stolen goods could be diposed of, was alarming, and the fact that the thieves had found it so easy to get into touch with Fearon, was surprising. Others engaged in the nefarious trade must have given the information that it was safe to approach the accused.