SUPREME COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 269, 7 August 1920, Page 8

SUPREME COURT

CONVICTED OF THEFT • CASE OF SYSTEMATIC PILLAGE ' Finality was reached' in the Supremo Court vristerdav in connection with the hearing of several chaises of theft preferred against a waterside worker named Gordon Davie.s. It was aliened thai on varying dates in July and April of this year the accused had stolen clothing and other' Roods from vcs.-o!s in port. The jurv returned 'after a short retirement v/ith a verdict of guilty on the majority of the counts in the indictment. Prisoner was then arraigned for sentence, and Mr. H. V. o'lx\'iry explained on his behalf that the charges arose out of a minor chargo of stealing sweets on tho waterfront, for which he had received two months' imprisonment His Honour said that Hie depositions pointed to systematic pillage oil the part of prisoner. Village from ships and wharves was Incoming serious, and it had the ell'ect of bestowing a very heavy rliai' T e on the community in general. Sentence of 18 months' imprisonment with hard labour was then passed. Tlio Court adjourned til! Monday morning. ' CIVTI/ SITTIXGS. The Chief Justice (Sir Koliert Stout) will sit in Chambers at 10 o'cle'k this morning to make fixtures for I '<> civil sittings which will commence next week under tho Pri«:i:leiicy of Mr. Juslieo Chapman. By Telegraph—Presi Association. Dunedin, August 6. Helen Glcgg was sentonced to oi(?hteen months' imprisonment, without hard labour, for performing all . illegal operation. Mr. Justice Sim said he was un- 1 able to give eliect to tho jury's strong recommendation to mercy because accused had been carrying on n business as a professional abortionist, but in view of her'failing health he had imposed a light sentence. Others convicted this session and Sentenced were:—William E. Brown, assault, ordered to pay the expenses tho Crown had been put to and a fine of ,£25; Matthew Hamilton Barnes, thett, admitted to probation.