COURT INCIDENT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 852, 28 August 1933, Page 7

COURT INCIDENT.

Outburst of Bad Language From Defendant. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. August 28. An outbreak of obscene and filthy language at the Magistrate's Court last week on the part of Professor David James Richards, when Mr Barton, S.M , refused to reduce a maintenance order of £4 a week payable by Richards to his wife, was referred to this morning by Mr Barton. The Magistrate said he had warned Richards and had said he would pretend not to have heard him. Richards left the room, but returned and again discharged filthy and disgusting language, immediately leaving the Court. It was impossible to apply an order to hold him for contempt as there were no officers there to arrest him. Mr Barton said he had given the matter considerable thought, and the remedy he proposed was to submit the matter to the Supreme Court, and he had invited the defendant to appear this morning to show cause why he should not be dealt with. Richards: “I have had four years of agonising persecution. I have suffered most frightful injustice.” He went on to refer to actions in connection with his matrimonial affairs and, proceeding, he said that he had been wrong in using the words. He had lost control of himself wl\en it had been stated that his income was larger this year than last. Mr Barton said he took it the defendant's attitude was that he was justified in using the language. “ I cannot help it, sir.” said Richards. “ Flesh and blood can t stand it. It seems to me to be an attempt to get me in an asylum.” Mr Barton: I understand that you have already been held in this Court for contempt until the close of proceedings. I was not aware of that fact last week. You were warned, and you have had more leniency than anyone else would have been allowed. Richards: If I have not suffered enough injustice you had better put me in gaol. The Court then adjourned and Rich ards left the room quietly.