SPOKE TO PRISONERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1125, 19 December 1914, Page 6

SPOKE TO PRISONERS.

A LYTTELTCN CASE.

EENCH INFLICTS £5 FINE.

(Before Mr W. 0. Cleary, J.P., and Mr L. A. Stringer J.P.) George William Richards was charged with having, on December 17, at Eytteltoii. loitered about & road 'where prisoners were employed, and attempted to get into communication with them.

Mr A. T. Donnelly, who appeared for the accused pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant Ryan said that, at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday last the defendant was along Simeon Quay where ten prisoners were employed under the supervision of a warder. , Richards eailed out to a prisoner, and was ordered away. Anticipating further trouble, the warder got the assistance of two citizens to keep an eye on the defendant. Richards subsequently returned to the locality,' hut stood on the top of the wall and shouted remarks to the men below. ' The assistance of the police was then sought, and accused was arrested. Later he returned and called out that it had cost him twenty pounds bail to have another look at them. The warder also gave evidence,. remarking that the man was very abusive.

Mr Donnelly stated that whilst admitting the seriousness of the offence, ho would ask the Bench to take into consideration the man's demeanour.

The chairman said the discipline of the .prison had to be upheld, and an offence of this nature could not be overlooked._ Defendant was fined £5 and costs, in default one month.

Immediately on the conclusion of the case, the defendant was arrested for drunkenness and was remanded for a week's medical treatment.