A PROMPT REPEAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3875, 19 June 1928, Page 16

A PROMPT REPEAL.

MAGISTRATE CANCELS SENTENCE VOLUNTARY EVIDENCE TENDERED. AUCKLAND, June 14. A remarkable incident occurred in the Police Court to-day when Guy Carney, aged 23, an American seaman, waa charged with stealing two coats belonging to Thomas W. Fulford. The theft was alleged to have been committed at Fulford’s flat, to which he had invited the accused one night a week ago. The accused stated that Fulford remarked on the chilliness of the night, and said that if witness would accept his invitation to his flat he would give him two coats which would be warmer. While he was there Fulford made suggestions. Resenting these, Carney said he threatened to “ smack ” Fulford. When witness left he took with him the coats, as well as Ils in cash, which, he said, was put into his hand by Fulford. “ Here is a man trying to blacken the character of another.” said the magistrate (Mr F. K. Hunt). “Here is a man making vile and filthy suggestions and asking this court to believe them. This sort of thing is abominable. The accused will be sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour. Later, a young man who was in court made a statement to the police, and when acquainted of his statements the magistrate ordered the accused to be brought back. In evidence, the new witness said.- "I recognised Fulford when I first saw him in court this morning, and when I heard ■ Carney get six months I had to say what I knew. Fulford came up to me 1 ’ once and took me for a drive in his car : i to the Domain, where he made suggesl tions to me. I told him to “ cut it out ” • ; and left him when I got to town.” Wit- ■ ' ness detailed the incidents which, ho “ ' alleged, happened in the car. j i While the witness was giving cvi- . ; dence Fulford said: “ I have never seen ; ; this man in my life before. ’ i The magistrate: lam surprised. This ’ i puts a new complexion on things. For- ; innately I have not entered up my de1 ■ cision in the record book, and after f ■ hearing this new evidence I am not 2 : prepared to let that sentence stand. I ■ will repeal it, and will remand the ® accused to enable the police to make ' inquiries into these very grave allegations. Accordingly, the accused was remanded to appear to-morrow, when the s- question whether he should have his ■e liberty during the week’s remand which ! e was granted will be decided.