MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1614, 15 February 1866, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

MojTDAT, FBB. 14. ' (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., 8.M.) William Prideaux, charged with being drunk amLdiiorderly, was discharged with a caution. Wifiiam Jones, was brought up charged with stealing a coat the property of—Moss. Constable Gil), deposed that the prisoner was given into his charge, for stealing the coat pro* duced. Prisoner said he had picked it up on the pars* meat?* Isaac Barret, on oath, said that he waa shopman to Mr. Mohb, and that he law the prisoner near the shop at 9 o'clock this* morning. The coat produced by last witness, was hanging on the bar and witness saw the prisoner walking away with it. It was valued at 505.: witness went after him and he said he had picked it up. Thomas Goodman, a lad, on oath, said he saw prisoner walking along from Mr. Moss' shop with a coat under his arm. Prisoner said, he picked up the coat on the pavement, and was going to enter the shop to see who it belonged to. His worship said, that prisoner was sentenced to two months in December last for larceny, and that the bench had no doubt of his intention to steal the coat and would sentence him to six months imprisonment with hard labour. CITO CABM. Pbacock & Co. v. Fahtham.—This was a claim for amount of dishonoured acceptance, due 2nd March, 1860, and interest £46 12s. Mr. Garrick appeared for plaintiff. Defendant pleaded the statute of Limitations, but his Worship said the defence was not valid, as six years had not transpired since the amount was due. Judgment for plaintiff for amount claimed. LYTTELTON. Monday, Fhb. 14. (Before Wm. Donald, Esq., &.M.) Serious Chargr of Stabbing.—A seaman named Samuel Wilson, or Swaine, belonging to the ship Lvttelton, was brought up, charged with the above offence, and the following evidence was adduced: — Sergeant Nile, on being sworn, stated that he was called about half-past eleven o'clock on Tuesday evening by Thos. Leslie, of Norwich Quay; he came to the police station, and reported that he was stabbed. He gave a description of the prisoner, and immediate search was made for him. In about half an hour he was found on Norwich Quay. Sergeant Baker accompanied him. The accused was arrested and searched; he gave his name as Wilson; he is described on the ship's articles as Swaine. Did not find any weapons on him. Accused wu taken to Leslie's house. Leslie identified accused as the man who stabbed him. He was removed to the police station and his clothes taken off and searched again, he was then locked up. Sergeant Nile produced a pair of trousers worn by Leslie at the time of the stabbing, they are stained with blood and are cut in two places. The Bench had been informed that prosecutor was unable to attend, he was obliged to remain in bed owing to a dangerous wound in the thigh. The next witness examined was Duncan Fullerton; on being sworn, he stated that he was in company of accused on Tuesday evening; they called at Leslie's and asked for something to eat. Mr. Leslie refused. Some words ensued on both sides. Accused swore at times; both appeared to make a rush at each other and struck. Could not say who struck first. Leslie knocked accused down, he got up and run back a few paces, and requested witness to get him his hat, theyjeame along the corner of Stanley's hotel, passed by the Queen's, went along London street as far as Dalmers' store and went in. Was \waiting outside and saw apoliceman come up; heard him tell a doctor who was coming down the streot, that Leslie had been hurt; went down to Leslie's to see if he was badly hurt; and remained there the rest of the night; saw no weap >n Leslie did not at the time say he was injured; the accused and witness walked quietly away; the accused wanted something to eat; he had not had his tea; could notremember the exact words made use of, but they were something like " he would rip or tear his liver out," in coming round Stanley's corner, caught the words something like " that he had a knife, or, that he had used a knife." By the accused: cannot say who struck first blow ; he got up and ran at you : I thought you ran at him, but my head was half turned away at the time. The further hearing of the case was adjourned for eight days.