SUPREME COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3168, 20 August 1917, Page 9

SUPREME COURT

PRISONEKS SENTENCED

At tho Supremo Court on Saturday Hie Honour Mr. Justice. Hosking had before him a number of piib'onejs for sentence. TJIKIT FROM A KETURNBI) SOLDIEIt. Ait-bur Kites, foiiud guilty of tho theft of a roll of notes 'from a> returned Maori soldier, whilo 'in the Caleduuiau Hotel, waa Ihc first prisoner, and on bid behalf Mr. P. W. Jackson wade a strong appeal lor lcuioncy, pointing out that tho man had a great temptation thrust before him. Counsel also stressed the fact of accused's Icing a returned soldier, who had suffered injury while un active service. His Buuuur remarked that although there was ouly ouo previous conviction (for insobriety) against the prisoner, tho report of tho police was a, very bad one, showing him to. 1)0 much addicted to liquor, end tho corapiiuy of bad characters. Howuver, in view (if whflX counsel had taid, lio would grant probation fox throe- years, in order to sco i! it would strengthen prisoner's character. Tho conditions of the probation would bo that Milos would bo required to sign n, promise to tho Probation Officer to rofrain from drinking during the probationary period; also from kciiping bad company. Ho' rcust iind work. in tho country, to be sanctioned by tho Probation Officer, ajid could only coinn to town with tho sauction of tho latter.

SENTENCED FOE, BIGAMX. TJionias Charles iuion, found guilty of bigamy, wis put forward for sentence. Id Jiuxoii's caso the jury brought in astrong recommendation that lie be not associated with, hardened criminals. Mr. H. J£. Cornish, who appeared for the. urisoner, a.sbecl that probatiou bo granted, but, the request was refused, llja .Honour Eaid tho only, iioiul ho could .consider iu favour of tho prisoner was that ho liad not the snmo powerful intellect at! tho majority of men. But there- must bo a cetcrrent, to provont -weak men from, committing crime. Ho had communicated witu tho Inspector of tho Prisons Department, and the prisoner would be detained under tho beat possible conditions. The crime was not ono to be treated lightly; theprisoner had married ono woman and had ruined another, and women niutyt bo protected. Luxon v/ns sentenced to six months' imprisoujucut with hard .labour. INDECENT ASSAULT..; Mr. B. ¥. O'licary, Who appeared for John -Itobort, Nicoile, found guilty of ln ? decent assault on children, said it was a tmgedy to neo such, a man o£ such an nt'o (57) convicted- on this charge. His Honour iisrcod that iL was a- tragedy, especially nt prisoner's age, but. experionce had shown that at this time- of life the propensities which led to Ihc acts committed by the prisoner develop. In this case, tho prisoner evidently practised) a course oC corruption o£ these children. Nicollo was sentenced +0 five , years' imprisonment on each charge, tho terms to run concurrently. KADOMFFE ; S CASZ. The second indictment against .Herbert Eaton Badcliffe, ex>Ghie£ Clcrli in tlie Minos Deportment, altering ' two vouchers, was mentioned by Mr. V. 1!. Meredith, Orcwn Prosecutor. Mr. Meredith. slatai that tho Crown did not propose to proceed with, the indictment, and: His Honour entered a nolli proscqui. THREATENING LETTER.' The second olargo against Horbcrt William dough, already convicted, but not sentenced, for sending threatening lo'toe demanding money, it was Hgrctd should be mentioned to-uay. AUCKLAND SESSIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auokland, August 18. At tho criminal sessions'tho Chief Justice. Sir Itobert Stout presiding, James Moloney was charged with burglary of a, pawnbroker's shop, and alternately with, being in possession of stolen jewellery. The Crown stated that jewellery valued at £58 was stolen. Accused sold'a missing watch and chain, and tried to sell other articles. Tho jury returned a verdict of guilty of receiving stolen property. Bridget' Brain was convicted of thoft of £38 from a coloured man. Sentence was deferred in both cases..