CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14243, 18 June 1908, Page 11

CITY POLICE COURT.

Wednesday, June 17. (Before Mr C. C. Graham, S.M.) Drunkenness- —Donald ilathcson was fined 40s, with costs, or,seven days' imprisonment. A first offender was fined ss, or the usual alternative. A Serious Charge.—Annie Sharp, Annie Edwards, and Michael Welsh, an old man, on remand, were charged with committing a grossly indecent act on tho Town Bolt on the afternoon of Juno 12.—Evidence/ was diven by persona whose premises overlooked the spot occupied by the three noutised. It was also stated that there wcro a number of fichuoi children about.—Mr Sinclair, who appeared for Annie Edwards, said that this was a very grave charge to level against a respectable married woman like his client. He submitted that tho evidence given did not. implicate hpt in any act of indecency, but wa.3 rather in her favour than otherwise. Unfortunately, she was a weak woman, with 'a failing for drink, and had been enticed into the company of the other persons by the fact of their having liquor in their possession.— The Magistrate said that it was impossible for him, after having beard tho evidence, not to believe that an offence had been perpetrated.—Mr A. C. Hanlon said he really had no standing in the case, but before his Worship decided to convict he hoped he might bo accorded a hearing. This being granted, Mr Hanlon stated that the provious evening the two daughters of Mrs Edwards had come to him in a. state of great tribulation as to what would happen to thoir mother. Tlioy wcro anxious to do all in their power to shield her from her besetting craving for strong drink, and, if necessary, one of them would sacrifice her situation so as to be able to stay at homo and take care of her mother always. He asked the bench to considor these giris. It might spell ruin to them if their mother was dragged off to prison. Tliie woman had never Lcen in trouble of this kind before. He asked that leniency bo extended' to her, and. that tho court would not send her to prison for a first offence. For a first fault the law had b-Jeu generous enough to pass a probation act, and he urged that Mrs Edwards might be given tho bonefit of it. She had received a very tevcro lesson.—Tho Magistrate sentenced Annie Sharp, whe had been previously convicted for improper conduct, to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour. Annie Edwards, for drunkenness and for procuring liquor when a- prohibited person, would be convicted, And ordered to come up for sentence when cailed neon; if she offended again to undergo the same punishment a-s Annie Sharp. Tho acoused Welsh, who said he knew nothing whatever about it, wa3 similarly dealt with.