JUDGE ON COUNSEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22742, 30 November 1935, Page 21

JUDGE ON COUNSEL

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Hewart, addressed stern words to members of the Bar recently when an appeal was quashed in the Court of Criminal Appeal. In his judgment Lord Hewart said the business of counsel for the prosecution was to be fair and impartial in presenting a case to a jury. He added: “The Crown is not interested to secure a conviction. The only interest of the Crown is that the right man should be convicted and justice should be done. It is deplorable when counsel fail to stand on the real strength of their cases, but trim and support them by tilings collateral which are contrary to the spirit

and letter of the English law.” Hi» Lordship was sitting with Justices Humphreys and Singleton, The successful appeal was that of Alec Bennett Sugarman, who at London County Sessions was sentenced to 12 months’ - hard labour, and ordered to pay 50 guineas costs, on charges of receiving stolen gowns, wireless sets and accordions. Sugarman's defence was that he bought and paid for the goods.