SUPREME COURT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 7

SUPREME COURT.

His Honor Mr Justice Sim held a sitting of tho Supreme Court on Friday morning. Jack Munden Muir, a youtn 19 years of ago, came before his Honor for sentence on a charge of forgery, the offence having been committed at Lovell's Flat. Prisoner had pleaded guilty in the lower court.

Mr A. C Haidon, who appeared on behalf of Muir, said that the Repositions showed that the offence was a particularly stupid one. The lad had some idea that he could cause his employer to pay him money instead of it being deducted from his cheque. Before "he committed! this foolish - act he had borne a good character. His people were highly respectable, and had resided in Dunedin practically all their lives. Restitution had been made. Tlie probation officer had expressed the view that the better course to adopt would be to admit the accused to probation: the youth having enlisted and would shortly go into camp. The officer thought that as the lad was now in a situation, and as his father had gono to the front, better control could be exercised over him if he was admitted to probation. While he was .in camp in Wellington he could bo controlled until such time as he went to the front, the young fellow was nearly 20, his birthday being in October. His Honor decided to admit prisoner to probation for six months, on condition that he was of good behaviour, and paid the costs of the prosecution (£3 ss).

AUCKLAND, February 18. In the Supreme Court to-day a youth named Alexander Alderton, charged withindecent assault on a child three years of age, was admitted to probation under stringent conditions. At the Supreme Court the jury failed to agree in a case against Hannah Dalton on charge of having used an instrument or other means on one Vera Baker with intent to procure abortion. At the last sessions the accused was charged with the manslaughter of Baker, and the jury failed to agree a new trial being ordered. The pre sent proceedings are on an additional count. February 20. At the retrial of Hannah Matilda Daltonon a charge of having unlawfully used an instrument or other means on one Vera Baker with intent to procuro, abortion, the iury found accused not guilty. PALMERSTON N., February 19. In tho Supreme Court. Margaret Coy was acquitted on charges of shooting at her husband, Alfred Coy, with intent to do grievous bodily harm and causing actual bodily harm. ' CHRISTCHURCH, February £O. Robert Dickson Warden, charged with breaking and entering, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and < declared a habitual criminal. Finger prints formed the chief evidence leading to his conviction. ..... Stanley Leigh was charged with assault and robbery, but the case broke down. The complainant, Annie Soman, gave evidence, but Mr Justice Chapman considered her an unreliable witness, and directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty.