CONTEMPT OF COURT

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 521, 2 August 1932, Page 5

CONTEMPT OF COURT

Ex-University Professor in Scene. MAINTENANCE TROUBLES. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 1. Shouting at the top of his voice, abusing his wife and her solicitor in strong terms, and gesticulating wildly, David James Richards, a former University professor, was led out of the Magistrate’s Court this morning in custody for contempt of Court. 3 Richards and his wife have appeared in the Courts a number of times over matrimonial affairs and recently separation and maintenance orders made in favour of the wife were the subject of a judgment by Mr Justice Ostler. Last Monday Richards was charged with being in arrears on the orders made for the support of I '.s wife and child, and after hearing the evidence Mr Woodward, S.M., adjourned the case until to-day to allow defendant to produce a certain statement dealing with his financial position.

When the case was called to-day, Richards immediately began allegations about his wife and he was warned severa times by the Magistrate. The warning quietened defendant temporarily, but he repeatedly interrupted. At length the Magistrate told the Court orderly to take Richards in charge for contempt of Court and take him outside.

When Richards was brought back to Court this afternoon he apologised to the Magistrate for his behaviour and again went into the witness-box. After hearing him further the Magistrate sentenced him to one month’s imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended if he pays £4O plus current maintenance forthwith, and £SO within the month of August.