SUPREME COURT

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4208, 17 November 1900, Page 3

SUPREME COURT

CRIMINAL SESSIONS. Tlj t> criminal sittings of the Supreme Court., Wellington district, were resinned yesterday before Mr Justice Lawards. ! , , , ■ Mr. H. I). Roll prosecuted for the Crown. ASSAULT WITH INTENT. Angus Young, a young man, who had been I'ound guilty of assaulting with intent a young woman at Rohangina. came up for sentence. The prisoner dm not say anything wit.i the object oi obtaining a mitigation of punishment. He asked for the benefit of the First Offenders Probation Act, hut the application was refused. His Honour said this kind of crime appeared to be growing to an alarming extent in the country districts, and must be discouraged. In view of some of the circumstances of the case, be would pass a lenient sentence. Rut while be was merciful, he must also he just. The sentence was two years imprisonment with hard labour. ALLEGED THEFT OF TOOLS. Gilbert Laurenson, a man of middle acre, was charged with the theft of carpenters’ tools from four different owners, on the 23rd, 24th and 25th August. , The accused pleaded not guilty, ami was defended by Hr Findlay. ■ Mr Bell, in opening the case, said the question for the jury would he as to the identity of the accused. There was no doubt that the tools were stolen, and that they were pawned at different pawnbrokers’ shops. Dr Findlay admitted that tue tools mentioned in the indictment were stolen on the dates specified, and that they were the property of the earpenteifo named. Among Hie Crown witnesses were various pawnbrokers. The Jury, of which Mr T. L. Churchward was foreman, returned a verdict, of not guilty, after two hours’ retirement, and tire accused was discharged. ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT. Frederick Joseph, otherwise called Frederick Callil, a young Syrian, was charged with carnally knowing a Syrian girl five vears of age, at Frasers lane, Wellington, on. the 23rd September. The prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was defended by JL)r xindlay. Mr H. S. Moore was foreman of the ' |U After the Crown witnesses had been examined, the Court adjourned till this morning, when evidence will he called for tim defence.