FINED A FIVER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 97, 30 May 1914, Page 11

FINED A FIVER.

CONTEMPT OF t*)URT. 7V»**. Asffoc'iatian. May 2& At the Supreme Count itO'ilay a'young mau named, Austin Henry :Bruen stoodhis trial for a second time .on charges *of (1) attempting a criminal "offence against a girl under 16 years, (2) cent assault, (3) common assault. three hours' retirement ithe jury ret^irjfeiifcf s with'the following verdict; —Not on the first, Not Guilty of indecent-.K*^ : sault, Guilty of common assault. f'jVKf? Mr Justice Edwards -declined to the verdict on .the ground ;sh" a s'wpil»f| illogical. - :•" I s ;);'•• fjlpfllf ' The jury retired for an hour, when it returned with the'/4SMS lowing verdict:—Nat Guilty on thCJUsfc* count, disagreed on the second, F*'ip£Lf\ Guilty on the third, with a *■- tion to mercy. r-"'-*-■> t\ The Judge again declined to scee£tr[ such a verdict. ~*"* The jury once move -retired, and after a quarter of an hour returned with a verdict of Not.Guilty on all counts. < Mr Justice Edwards, addressing Bruen, said:—"The jury ,'has disbelieved your own statements made on oath. I recommend you to be more careful, for you may not find that another jury will disbelieve you." • <' The prisoner and .jury were then discharged. The prisoner, addressing the jury, said:; ''Gentlemen, I .thank you." : Mr Justice Edwards.: "Prisoner at the bar, ypu are fined £5 fox contempt of court." '■■■+ Prisoner's counsel pleaded for a remission of the fine, but the Judge ordered payment forthwith, and promised to hear counsel next morning.