THE SUPREME COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16007, 27 August 1915, Page 5

THE SUPREME COURT.

DEALER IN CHEQUES.

RECOMMENDATION TO MERCY

Iwblve charges of obtaining money by false pretences and of incurring debts while an undischarged bankrupt, were preferred against Pony Kirkhy. -who entered the dock with the aid of crutches, as lie suffers from rheumatic gout. Kirkby was abused of obtaining a cheque lor £140 from Maurice O'Connor, incurring debts of £62 19s 5d to the Te Aroha Bacon Company. and £112 14.- Id to Richard Arthur, and obtaining sums of money a-gs-egating £32 3s 6d from various people he false pre tences.

Mr. Justice Cooper occupied the Ben. h. Mr. Selwvn Mays appeared for the Crown, and Mr. J. R. Reed, K.(.'.. with him Mr. A. L. Denniston, for the accused.

The jury brought in a verdn t of guiltv on the bankruptcy ..barges, net cuiltv oil seven counts of false pretences, and guilty on two counts of false pretences. A rider was submitted by the jury recommending the prisoner to mercv because one of the counts on which he had been found guilty related to the obtaining of medicine to relieve sickness.

His Honor said he would give everv consideration to the jury's recommenda(ion. Sentence was postponed until tomorrow, at 10 a.m.

SERIOUS OFFENCE. SIX YEARS' IMPRISONMENT. A married man named Walter James Malcolm was charged before Mr, Justice Chapman with committing incest at Kawau Island in Deceml>er, 1914. The case was heard at the last sessions, when the jury I disagreed. The Hon J. A. Tole, K.C.", | appeared for the Crown and Mr. W. J.' croft Wilson for the prisoner. 'Hie jury returned a verdict of guilty. Mr. Wilson a.sked for leniency on the ground that his client had a wife and thr.H> children, and that his previous character had t>een good. His Honor characterised the case as one of the most disgraceful that had ever j com.* before him. He could not grant ! leniency. The law was framed to meet j lust such cases as that of the prisoner. He would not impose the maximum I sentence, but the prisoner must go to i prison for six years.