SUPREME COURT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 15000, 20 September 1900, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

(liofore His Honor tho Chief Justice.) WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19. Om the Court resuming at 10 yesterday morning, (several of the prisoners who pleaded guilty on Monday were brought •up for sentenc". Herbert Williams, alias Bert Hood, for false pretences and three different charges of breaking and entering in Wanganui, was first culled on. His Honor said he would take into account prisoner's youth, he being about 19 years of age, and would give him a chance. It would, however, be his last chance, for if ho came before the Court again he would get several years. The sentence of the Court was that he be imprisoned for nine months with hard labour. Alice Hutcliinson, who pleaded guilty to stealing a purse and £3 from Chavannea' Hotel on 19th Juno, was nest placed in the dock. The Chief Justice said he was very sorry to say he coukl not admit prisoner to probation, as at previous places where she had been employed money had been misled. He \va* very sorry to see a young woman placed in mil a petition. He would impose only a short sentence, in the hope- that it would be » sufficient deterrent. Prisoner was then sentenced to four months'' imprisonment with hard labour. James Edward, for stealing it ma-re at Okaiawa on 10th July, was admitted to probation for 12 months, His Honor stating that ho had bo treated the prisoner because of his advanced age and in view of the fact that up to the present ho had borne a good character. Sir Robert Stout also made it a condition of prisoner's probation that he should pay £5 towards the expenses of tha trial. William George Thompson, who pleaded guilty to the theft of a hoiso and bradley and set of harness from Charles J. Jefferson and another on October 12th, 1899. in Wanganui, was next arraigned. His Honor naid this was not prisoner's first offence, there being farther charges pending against him. The crime itself was committed with considerable deliberation and skill, but being the first serious offence so far us this Court was concerned, he would impose- a, light sentence—l2 months' hard labour. • ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT. Walter Edward Turner iva» then indicted on a charge of indecently assaulting it little girl, 11 years of age, iu Nibloll Sheet on Ist September. Tlie accused pjeudud not guilty and was defended'by Mr Tread we 11, Mr Fitzlierbert conducting the case for. the Crpwn. The f oUgwfng Juvpw were einjuuincUed ;

— Mcssvb W. Jones, M. Siddle, G. A. Laidlaw, W. Taylor, H. Holbrook, W. Lyall, A. Mailman, A. Haycock, J. Barrett, G. Ilodson, D. Templeton, T. Mitchell. Mr Haycock was chosen foreman. The case lasted until a few minutes after r one, when the jury retired to consider their verdict and the Court adjourned till two o'clock. The jury returned to Court at 3.20 with a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner wa» accordingly discharged. < ALLEGED ROBBERY. On resumption at 2 o'clock, William Miller was indicted with haying on June Bth stolen tho sum of £6 from Michael Green. ] Accused, who was undefended, plsaded not guilty. 1 The following jury was empannelled : — ; Messrs W. H. Taylor, J. O. Thompson, H. Tlmyer, W. Rodwell, A. Thompson, W. Jamieson, D. Rowe, W. Mitchell, G. Simphoii, W. H. Brabant, A. S. Laird, J. N. Coleman. Mr W. Rodwell was chosen foreman. . i The Crown Prosecutor, in his opening remarks, said that the case was a, simple one. The prosecutor had started from Mangaweka on June Bth with £15 in his possession. After spending somo for different purposes, he had £6 when he arrived nt Marton. Up to 7 o'clock Gre«n was in possession of notes. He was afterwards seen outside the Railway Hotel, with the accused bending over him. Accused had previously had no money, but afterwards changed some notes. , _, Evidence was given by Michael breen, William Edwards, Joseph Northover, jun Edward Clifford, S. J. Gibbons and Con stable Crozier. The jury returned with a verdict of guilty, and accused was ordered to come up for sentence on Friday morning. The Court then adjourned till 10 o clock this morning, when the case of Rogina v. Tuffnell will bo taken.