CONTEMPT OF COURT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 9

CONTEMPT OF COURT.

AN OBSTINATE DEFENDANT TWENTY-FOUR HOURS’ IMPRISONMENT. NELSON, April 26. A somewhat unusual incident occurred during the sitting of the Magistrate’s Court to-day whsn a country resident, who appeared to answer a charge of failing to send his child to school, was ordered to be taken into custody by Mr T. E. Maunsell, B.M. The man concerned was Leonard Kerr ,of Wai-iti. When the charge was read Defendant raid: I cannot do anything The Magistrate: You cannot do anything in the condition you ar now. What do you mean by coming here in this condition? Defendant: What condition? I cannot do anything at all. She has gone away from me. I cannot do anything at all. The Magistrate (to a constable): I think this man had better be taken into custody. Addressing the defendant the Magistrate asked: Do you mean to say you are in a sober condition? Defendant. Yes. Ther Magistrate: How do you plead? Guilty or not guilty? Defendant: Not guilty. I cannot do anything with her. The Magistrate: You can go to the back of the court and the case will be called later. If you have not sobered up then I will deal with you in another way. The Defendant: You can deal with me in any way now. The Magistrate (to a constable): Take him into custody. Defendant was then taken in charge and removed from the court, and the case was adiourned for a week. Defendant was later charged with drunkenness and brought before the Magistrate. The information was amended to one of contempt of court, to which the defendant pleaded guilty, nnd he was sentenced to 24 hours’ imprisonment.