POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13466, 19 April 1907, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

CHARGE OF PERJURY DISMISSED.

John Condon, a labourer, was charged at the Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. C. Bagley and J. W. Coleman, J.P.'s, that on Monday last he committed perjury at the hearing of a charge against him at the Police Court by swearing that on April 13 he gave to John Heath and two others a drink out of a bottle at their request, and that be was challenged to fight and was attacked by Heath and two other men. Sergeant Hendry prosecuted, and Mr. Singer defended.

The prosecution arose out of a case in which Condon and Heath were (barged with committing a breach of the peace. Condon then pleaded guilty and Heath not guilty.

Sergeant. Wm. Ramsay gave evidence as to hearing him make use of the words given in the information. Cross-examined by Mr. Singer, witness said that the case was heard by Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., who directed the present prosecution. Accused was then asked by Mr. Kettle if he wished to give evidence, and he replied that he did not wish to do so, as, he said, there were three other men against him. Accused made a statement to Mr. Kettle, who again asked him to give evidence on oath, and he again declined. Mr. Kettle intimated that he would not listen to the statement made by accused if he was not on oath. Accused ultimately went into the witnessbox. A number of other witnesses also gave evidence. Mr. Singer submitted that it was not a case in which any jury would convict accused of perjury. Counsel also alleged that accused was forced into the witness-box against his own will. The Bench said that, the evidence was not strong enough to send accused to the Supreme Court for trial, and dismissed the information. THEFT OF A RFC. A young man named Flank Chas. Smith was charged with stealing a rug valued at 18s, the property of William Whittingham. Sergeant Hendry called evidence to show that accused and the complainant were employed on. the auxiliary schooner Greyhound. On the sth inst. accused left the ship, and the rug was then missed and afterwards found among accused's belongings. Smith, who said that he tool? the rug by mistake, was fined £5, or in default 14 days' imprisonment. MISCELLANEOUS.Kate Cassidy, a young woman, pleaded guilty to drunkenness and not guilty, to being an incorrigible rogue. Evidence was called to the effect that accused had no lawful means o£ support. Cassidy, who said that her sister had been keeping her, was fined 10s and costs on the first charge and sentenced to six months' imprisonment on the second. Three small boys, pleaded guilty, to stealing several pigeons, and alter being severely lectured about their conduct they weie convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Three first offenders were each convicted of drunkenness and discharged on paying cab hire (2s 6d), and another was fined 5s and costs, or in default 24 hours' imprisonment.