SUPREME COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 462, 3 August 1915, Page 10

SUPREME COURT.

YESTERDAY'S SITTINGS. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court opened yesterday his Honour Mr Justice Denniston presiding. Mr A. Freeman was chosen foreman of tlie Grand Jury. A LOADED REVOLVER. Jas. Lambert was charged that on May 14, at Methven., with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Jas. Scott, he attempted to discharge a loaded revolver at him. He was further charged that on the same date he assaulted Jas. Scott. Mr M. Donnelly represented the accused, who pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given by James Scott; Henry L. Scott, son of the previous witness; Thos. Henry Williams, ploughman; *Geo. Wm. Kevcrin, farm labourer; Patrick Moore, police constable at Methven. Mr Donnelly, in addressing the jury, said that on the second count he would not ask for an acquittal. In most cases when a man was found gyilty oil charges similar to the major count on this occasion his actions were accompanied by some phrases to show that if he: had the opportunity he had the intention to discharge the revolver at him. His Honour at this stage remarked to.Mr Raymond that the revolver might have been used to terrorise. Mr Raymond said the jury would have to infer the intention from his conduct. He would accept the position as placed by Mr Donnelly. His Honour held that there was no evidence in support df the first count. Mr Donnelly said he would consent to a verdict on the second count. » The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the second count. Mr Donnelly said that prisoner served through the South African war, and went to Trentham to go away with these contingents, but something happened there which led to his being discharged as medically unfit. He had been 10 weeks in gaol already. Accused was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. I INDECENT ASSAULT. _ Albert Higgins, a youth of 20, represented by Mr A. T. Donnelly, pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent assault on a girl of 13 years and eight months of age at Sydenham. Evidence as to the good character accused had previously borne was given by Mr J. H. Blackwell, Mayor of Kaiapoi, and Constable Holmes, of Kaiapoi. His Honour, in putting accused on probation for 12 months, said that the prisoner's act amounted practically only to an act of impropriety. INDECENT ASSAULT. Alfred Seymour pleaded not guilty on two charges of having indecently assaulted a girl seven. years of age on April 15. Accused, who was not represented by counsel, pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given by the girl, her guardian, and Detective Ward.

The jury, after a retirement of 45 minutes, returned with a verdict of guilty. Mr Raymond said that the prisoner was 36 years of age, and he had three convictions for dishonesty in respect of offences which occurred some years ago. He was a married man, with two children. His Honour designated Seymour as a menace to society, and sentenced him to five years' imprisonment. TO-DAY'S SITTING. CHARGE OF INDECENT ASSAULT. When the Court resumed its sittings this morning, Charles Jonathan Karnshaw, a middle-aged man, was charged on four counts with having indecently assaulted a girl seven years of age. Alternative charges of indecent exposure were preferred. Mr J. R. Cuningham appeared for the prisoner, who pleaded not guilty. It was alleged by the prosecution that accused had intercepted the child as she returned home from school, and had then committed the offences complained of. When asked by the police for his name accused gave a false name and address. After a retirement of about an hour and twenty minutes the jury found accused guilty on the charge of indecent exposure and not guilty on the charge of indecent assault. Accused, who is a married man with a family, living at Kaiapoi, was sentenced to 12 months' imprison-' iixcnt with hard labour. TWO ASSAULTS ALLEGED. John Watenburg, who was clefended by Mr M; Donnelly, pleaded not guilty to an indictment for twice assaulting a girl, with intent to commit a crime, at Avonside, on April 27. There were four counts in the indictment. In opening the case, Mr S. G. Ray-

mond, K.C., Crown Prosecutor, stated that about 5.40 p.m. on the date mentioned, the girl concerned, who is 14 years old, was walking along Mile Road. At the corner of St. James Road, a man, who was a stranger to her, caught her by the arm and pulled her toward the river. When he had dragged her about 70 odd yards, to some electric light poles, two cyclists came along. He then released her. She had got on some little distance when he caught up with her a second time, and dragged her along again. Then two people appeared and he let her go. She ran away, but although he followed her she got away this time. The second occasioh on which he caught hold of her occurred near a lamp, and the girl was then able to identify the man. Later she had identified accused among a number of other men at the police station, and other witnesses had seen him about the locality at various times. Mr Raymond Wded that no indecency was committed, but the assault must have been committed with intent. (Proceeding.)