FINE OF £200 FOE PERJURY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16623, 21 August 1917, Page 4

FINE OF £200 FOE PERJURY

NOT A CASE FOR PRISON.

ACCUSED'S GOOD CHARACTER.

Coxvtcted of perjury at the May criminal sessions, a middle-aged man, William Gordon, was brought before Mr. Justice Stringer, at the Supreme Court yesterday morning, for sentence. The charge arose out of certain statements made by the accused during the hearing of a civil action in the Magistrate's Court. His Honor said he had carefully considered the case, and had come "to the conclusion that the accused had not originally deliberately avoided liability by throwing his responsibility on another's shoulders, but that he had forgotten the details of the transaction. However, when the matter was brought to accused's notice in the Lower Court he must have recognised the position, but instead of admitting liability he had come into Court on two other occasions and repeated the statements, which formed the basis of the case. However, the police had reported favourably, and, in addition, accused's counsel had handed in a large number _of letters from reputaole citizens testifying to his integrity over a period of 25 years. Having regard to all the circumstances, he had decided, although not without considerable anxiety, not to send accused to gaol. Instead he would impose a substantial penalty. Accused would be fined £200. He would be kept in prison until the fine was paid, such imprisonment not to exceed six months.

The fine was paid during the forenoon.