INDECENT LANGUAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 107, 6 April 1926, Page 6

INDECENT LANGUAGE

LABOURER BEFORE COURT. THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT Described as a labourer, Williams Matthews, 31 years of age, appeared before Messrs W. McKenzie and JN. H. Sinclair, J.P.’s, at the Police Court this morning charged with using grossly indecent language in tlio bquaie yesterday. ' . ~ . Accused pleaded guilty, saying that he had been under the influence ot liquor at the time and did not remember what he had said. Senior-Sergeant O’Grady stated that the language had been uttered by a<> cused at about 6.30 p.m. at the Bank of New Zealand corner. There had been a fair crowd about, and accused had been speaking to no one in particular. The constable who had arrested him had reported that he was not drunk, although he had had a few drinks. Accused had a previous conviction for assault.

Accused pleaded for leniency, saying that lie suffered from shell-shock, with the result that a few drinks unhinged him. His war conduct had been very good. Senior-Sergeant O’Grady: He must have changed since. . . Sentence of three months’ imprisonment was passed by tlio Bench, Mr McKenzie adding that accused was liable to ono year. The offence accused had committed could not be passod over without severe punishment.