WITNESS FINED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24277, 19 May 1942, Page 5

WITNESS FINED

CONTEMPT OF COUKT WARNING BY JUDGE A witness in the Belton divorce case last week was summoned before Mr. Justice Fair at the close of the-case yesterday and warned and fined £5 for contempt of Court. The witness was a private inquiry agent, Leonard Owen Bellette, who made a retort to Mr. G. Skelton, counsel for the respondent. "In cross-examination you made an answer to counsel that was intended to insult," said His Honor to Bellette. "You should know from the number of times you have appeared in Court that it is quite improper conduct, that it is contempt of Court and that you are liable to be punished for it." Bellette said that on three or four previous occasions in divorce cases counsel on the opposite side had attacked him personally. This had caused mental worry and strain both to him and to his family. Only about two months ago a prominent solicitor had threatened to expose him by referring to something that happened 14 years ago. Bellette added that what he had said had been said on the spur of the moment. He was very worried and had been up all night for two nights. "It was a very improper thing to do," said His Honor, "and if it occurs again with you or any other witness, who takes advantage of his position as a witness to indulge in a private fight, you will be very severely and heavily punished. I fine you £5 for the contempt and warn you that if the same sort of thing occurs again the fine will be very much heavier."