SUPREME COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16570, 1 November 1921, Page 8

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS. TO-DAY’S CASES. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court were continued to-day, before Mr Justice Adams. Mr A. T. Donnelly, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the cases for the Crown. CHARGE OF THEFT FROM THE PERSON. Plearing of the charge of theft ; against David Irwin was continued. The case was adjourned ydfeherday in order that another witness might be obtained. Prisoner continued to-day to conduct his own defence. After the witness had given his evidence prisoner addressed the jury. He attacked complainant’s evidence, alleging that there were serious discrepancies between the evidence he gave in the Lower Court and that which he gave before his Honor. He characterised the evidence in general as very conflicting. His Honor said that the case was a very plain one. There was no evidence to contradict that of .the Crown. The jury retired at 10.30 a.m. 9 At 11 a.m. they returned a verdict ot not guilty, and prisoner was discharged. A YOUTH CHARGED. William David Hand a youth, aged seventeen years, pleaded not guilty to a charge of having had\ carnal knowledge of a girl aged eleven years and nine month.?. Mr R. Twyneham appeared for th*» prisoner. The Court was cleared during the hearing oi the case, except that some social workers were allowed to remain. % Mr Donnelly said the voting man had admitted in a written statement to the police having had sexual intercourse with the girl. In this case there was no defence of “reason to believe,” as the girl was under twelve years of age. After the evidence had been heard Mr Twyneham said he would take the unusual course of withdrawing his plea of not guilty. He had put forward the plea in order that certain evidence might be placed before the jury in a form which could not be correctly conveyed by Court depositions. His Honor said he would deliver sentence on Friday. Mr Twyneham. at his Honor’s invitation, reserved his address in defence until then. Harry Clark and John Leslie Clark pleaded guilty to attempted carnal knowledge of the same girl. Sentence was deferred until Friday. Mr R. Twyneham represented the accused.