SCENE IN COURT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21250, 2 August 1932, Page 8

SCENE IN COURT

SHOUTING AND ABUSE EX-PROFESSOR'S AFFAIRS MAGISTRATE TAKES ACTION APOLOGY BY THE DEFENDANT [by telegkapn —press association] WELLINGTON, Monday Shouting at the top of his voice, abusing his wife and her solicitor in strong terms, and gesticulating wildly, David James Richards, former university professor, was led out of the Magistrate's Court this morning in custody for contempt of Court. Richards and his wife have appeared in the Courts a number of times over matrimonial affairs, and recently separation and maintenance oMcrs made in favour ot the wife were the subject of a judgment by Mr. Justice Ostler. On Monday last Richards was charged with being in arrears on the orders made for the support of his wife and child, and after hearing evidence Mr. Woodward, S.M., adjourned the case until to-day to allow the defendant to produce a certain statement dealing with his financial position. When the case was called Richards immediately commenced allegations about his wife, and he was warned several times by the magistrate. The warning quietened the defendant temporarily, but he repeatedly interrupted. At length the magistrate told the Court orderly to take Richards in charge for contempt of Court and take him outside. Richards was brought back to the Court this afternoon. He apologised to the magistrate for his behaviour and again went into the witness-box. After hearing him further the magistrate sentenced him to one month's imprisonment, the warrant, to be suspended if he pays £4O, plus current maintenance, forthwith and £SO within the month of August.