SUPREME COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 963, 13 March 1917, Page 8

SUPREME COURT.

PRISONERS FOR SENTENCE. His Honour Mr Justice Denniston presided at a sitting of the Supreme Court to-day, when two prisoners came up for sentence. AN UNDESIRABLE. A Dane, answering to the name of Helge Vigo Sorenson, appeared for sentence after pleading guilty to a charge of committing robbery and assault on February 3 at Lyltelton. His age was set down as 29. A previous conviction for assault with violence at Greymouth stood against him. In the absence of Mr S. G. Raymond, K.C., the Crown was represented by Mr Hamilton. Mr J. J. Dougall, who appeared for the prisoner, said that Sorenson was a Danish sailor belonging to a vessel which had recently been in Lyttclton. The depositions went to show that [lie offence was not an aggravated one, and the sum involved was 4/2. He took the money from a mate. His Honour: "I had a friend and lie took ." Surely you don't plead that in mitigation? Mr Dougall: The pair had been drinking together. His Honour reminded Mr Dougall of the remark of a Scotch judge: "If he'd do that when he's drunk, Good God! what would he do when he's sober?" Mr Dougall went on to say that the captain of the vessel had testified to Sorenson's capabilities and conduct as a seaman, and had expressed a wish to have him back again. His Honour: The captain wants the man, and probably this country doesn't. Perhaps it's rather hard on Denmark, but the man can well be spared from the Dominion. Mr Hamilton said that the authorities had no desire to be burdened with the prisoner. His Honour: The only ground upon which I can act in that direction is that we would be better without him. What about this previous conviction? Mr Dougall: He, at that time, was on an Australian steamer. His Honour: He has, then, been knocking about the colonies some time? If I were sure he were going back to Denmark "d make a present of him to the Danes. Mr Dougall: I understand that this is a British ship, and will sail for England. His Honour: Oh! I thought he was going back to Denmark, and I was hoping to speed him on his way. Mr Dougall: But the ship is going to England, your Honour. His Honour: Well, I can't deal with him as I had first intended. He is sentenced to four months' imprisonment. AN EXTRAORDINARY RECORD. A sequel lo the exciting attempt of a prisoner to escape from custody by jumping from the ferry steamer on a recent morning in Lyttelton Harbour was furnished when James Thomas Christie, alias Joseph Thomas Christie, alias Wm. Leonard Foster appeared in the dock for sentence on charges of having stolen two motor cycles and other articles at Chrisichurch. The prisoner, an intelligent looking youth of 22, had against him an extraordinary record of crime for one so young. The sheet read as follows:—21/1/08, at Masterton, theft, 12 strokes of the birch; 2/10/08, Masterton, theft, lo be called up for sentence: 17/0/01), Masterton, theft. committed to Burahain; 22/2/10; Napier, false pretences (four charges), four years; 12/G/11, Auckland, theft (two charges), two vears on each and 10 years reformative treatment; 17/1/13, Auckland, escaping from custodv, six months; 15/2/17, Wellington/theft of motor cycle, two years and declared habitual criminal; 0/3/17, Wellington, theft of bicycles (two charges) six months.

His Honour asked how prisoner came to appear in uniform. Mr Hamilton said that he was in camp when arrested and that the uniform was his only clothes. His Honour then referred to prisoner's extraordinary career of crime. He could not do anything, he said. The prisoner was undergoing a substantial sentence and had been declared an habitual criminal. It was strange thai such cases should come before Ihe court and the country be pul to the expense of trying them. Mr Hamilton said he understood lhat such a course was necessary for the police records. Every crime had to be cleared up. His Honour: I don't propose to add to his sentence and ihe one I pass shall be merely a formal one. He will be sentenced to six months' imprisonment, to be concurrent with the term he is serving. Thai (added his Honour, ironically) will serve the purpose of the police records and the criminal statistics of the country.

IN CHAMBERS

Sitting in Chambers his Honour reinstated the summons Clarice Certrude Cadby v. James Duncan Lawrence. Thos. Adoloh Aoorsmith and Walter Edward Simes, defendant's application to add the names of Cvril Oscar Lawrence and Mary Eva Wilson as parties to the action. An order accordingly was made by consent.