SUPREME COURT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3609, 15 May 1923, Page 41

SUPREME COURT.

AUCKLAND, May 8. At t-rio Supreme Court criminal session in July Mr Justice Stringer said that the list was below the average. The charges mostly involved were of dishonesty. May 11. In the Supreme Court William John Marriott was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for breaking and entering a drill hall, theft, and also receiving. Frederick Howard. a waterside worker, was charged with having published and publicly exhibited a double chart and having carried on the business of a bookmaker. Detective Meiklejohn’s evidence was to the effect that, on a ferry boat conveying watersiders to a picnic, he heatd accused accept a double. W itness looked at the card, which showed that 22 doubles had teen laid. Witness know from the office records that accused had been fined for bookmaking. Ilis Honor, in summing up, said that there might be differences of opinion as to the wisdom of certain legislation, but the court had nothing to do with that. If Parliament passed a law it was his duty to administer it, and the duty of the jury was equally clear. They were there to return a verdict according to their oaths, otherwise the administration of justice would be reduced to a scandal. It was impossible to come to any other conclusion than that accused was guilty of bookmaking, if the evidence was to be believed. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty. WELLINGTON, May 8. At the Supremo Court criminal sessions the grand jury returned true bills in all oases brought before them, including charges of murder against the Coopers, man and wife. The only case proceeded with was a charge against Sydney Albert Arthur of breaking and entering with intent to commit rape and assault, and causing actual bodily harm It was stated that the woman assaulted was old and infirm, and was 78 years of age. Accused was alleged to have entered the premises by means of a window after questioning the woman about another female. He assaulted the old woman who was in bed. She screamed “murder” and struggled with the accused. She had a leg injured and a rib broken, and was conveyed to the hospital. The jury found Arthur guiity of breaking, entering, and assault with intent to do bodily harm. CHRISTCHURCH, May 7. At the Supreme Court criminal sessions Albert Pearoe Whitehead was acquitted on a charge of committing an offence against his daughter at Ahaura, West Coast, the jury adding a rider that they considered there was no stain on the character of accused. Georgo Evans was found guilty of issuing valueless cheques, and sentence was deferred. Ernest James Abernethy and Sydney Loose were found guilty of stealing jewellery of the value of £3lB. Sentence was deferred. Cyril Walden and Norman Wilson were found guilty of theft from a dwelling, and were remanded for sentence. May 11. Cyril Eugene Walden and Norman Wilson came up for sentence for theft from an hotel. Wald an was sentenced to two years’ and Wilson to three years’ imprisonment. Walden, who had pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court to another charge, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment, to be concurrent with his other sentence. John Stack, barman at the Grosvenor Hotel, who was found guilty of causing actual bodily Harm, was fined £lO, the judge saying that there was no doubt that the prisoner had had provocation. His Honor ordered that George Evans, who had passed valueless cheques, be declared an habitual criminal again, and serve three years, with hard labour. Joseph Solomon, aged 17, for forgery, was sentenced to three years’ reformative treatment. Stanley Taylor, forgery, received six months; and Robert M'Laughlan, for theft, three years, being also declared an habitual criminal. A Wellington Press Association message states that the following prisoners were sentenced in the Supreme Court:—Sydney Albert Arthur (assault), two years’ reformative detention; Arthur Henry Woods (indecent assault), three years on each of charges (cumulative), and declared an habitual criminal; Frederick Marryatt (theft at State farm, Levin), s.x months’ imprisonment; Stuart Brown M'Donald (false declarations in insurance returns), 12 months’ imprisonment.