SOLDIERS CHARGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24141, 6 December 1941, Page 13

SOLDIERS CHARGED

TRENTHAM COURT-MARTIAL

TWO MEN DENY DESERTION [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday

A soldier who, it was stated, in the two years since his attestation for service, had been sentenced to 12 months' hard labour on two occasions, once by a civil Court and once by a miiltary Court, appeared before a district court-martial at Trentham to-day on five charges. He was Private Leonard Robert Moulin. He pleaded guilty to being absent without leave From November 22 to November 24. He pleaded not guilty to four other charges. Accused was acquitted on two of these, using insulting language to a superior officer, Warrant-Officer F. R. L. Inder, and wilful damage in breaking a window in the detention room at Buckle Street barracks. On the absence without leave charge and two others, striking a superior, Lance-Corporal Oliver Prouse, and disobeying a lawful command, the Court has delivered its recommendations to the convening officer, the AdjutantGeneral, Colonel A. E. Conway, 0.8. E., N.Z.S.C. Sentence will be announced after promulgation. Two other soldiers were charged with desertion before the same Court to-day. Private George Clifton Exton pleaded not guilty to desertion in that ne was 34 days absent without leave until arrested in uniform in Palmerston North. Lieutenant M. L. Morgan, defending officer, said that accused_ had a clean record "and this should incline the Court to leniency. Private Lewis Hopkins was charged with desertion in that he was absent without leave for 77 days before being arrested in uniform by military police at Wellington. Captain J. W. Hollows, prosecutor, said that no doubt the defence would state that accused intended to return to camp, but this excuse was becoming worn. It appeared that all soldiers absent for periods intended to return to camp until they were actually arrested and brought back Sergeant J. D. Quirk stated that accused had a period of service in Suva. Lieutenant Morgan said that accused was arrested in Wellington in uniform one morning after the arrival of the limited express. It was accused's intention then to return to camp. In these two cases the Court has delivered its recommendations to the convening officer. Sentences will be announced after promulgation.