DISTRICT COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 114, 15 May 1890, Page 2

DISTRICT COURT.

[Criminal Sittings."] (Before His Honor Judge Broad.) Larceny.

Thomas Bray was charged with the larceny of a powder flisk and a shot belt, and half a sovereign from William Paul of Riohmond. Mr Fell appeared for the prosecution. The prisoner, who was not defended by counsel, pleaded not guilty. The following were sworn on the jury: Messrs A. N. Batchelor (foreman), T. Carter, J. Rothwell, E. Andrews, J. G- Bartlett, W. Sutton, H. J. Bradley, J. Bartlett, F. Manner ing, P. Jamieson, W.'Newpoit, and J. Hogg. The evidence was similar to that taken in the lower Court on Monday last. The prisoner then made a statement on oath to the effect that he had purchased the flask and pouch from Paul. The jury found, " That fchero is no evidence to prove that the prisoner stole the half sovereign ; that the prisoner and George Paul were drinking together, and there being no evidence to disprove the selling of the shot belt and powder flask, the jury decide to give the prisoner the benefit of the doubt, and bring in a verdict of not guilty." His Honour said that the jury had given the prisoner the benefit of the doubt as to whether tliere had or hadnot been a sale to him by Paul of the belt and powder iUsk. They must have given weight therefore to the prisoner's evidenoe as there was no other testimony o! a sale at all. He hoped the prisoner would take warning by hia esoape. Had he been convioted it might have been his duty to pass, in view of the prisoner's previous reoord, a substantial sentence. He had stood in grave peril, ana he hoped he would profit by it.

The prisoner was then discharged, and the criminal sittings of the Court closed.