BETTING CHARGES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 177, 30 June 1925, Page 12

BETTING CHARGES

LINEMAN BEFORE COURT. SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT. Per Proa* Association. AUCKLAND, June 20. Judgment uvas given by Mr Povnton, S.M., in the Police Court to-day in the case in which William J. Brown, a linesman, was charged on eight informations with betting with a constable. Brown was originally charged with carrying on the business of a bookmaker. He objected to tho Magistrate hearing the other charges on the ground that he intended to elect for a trial by jury before the Supreme Court on a charge of carrying on the business of a bookmaker. H e questioned the right of the prosecutor to Substitute the summary charges to defeat the major charge going before the Supremo Court. The Chief Justice refused the application for a writ of prohibition. Accordingly, Mr Povnton delivered judgment. He held that it was proved that accused was a bookmaker who betted totulisator odds with a constable, and also that there was evidence of a system. Brown was found guilty on one charge. The trate said that it was not a case for a fine. Accused was lined £.IOO a year ago, hut- it would appear that the line had had no deterrent effect. He inflicted a sentence of 32 days’ imprisonment. Security for appeal was fixed at £2O. The warrant was suspended and the other cases adjourned pending tho hearing of the appeal.