SUPREME COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 4167, 5 July 1876, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS. Tuesday, July 4. (Before his Honor Mr Justice Williams.) STEALING PROM THE PERSON. Stephen Toomey alias M‘Carthy, was charged with having, at Dunedin, on June 13, stolen the sum of L 7, the property of William Reid. Prisoner pleaded -‘Not Guilty,” and was defended by Mr Barton. The jury returned a verdict of “Not Guilty,” and prisoner was discharged. FORGERY. Arthur Robert Moule was charged with forging a deed at Dunedin on April 11. Mr Aldridge defended. The jury, after six hours’ deliberation returned a verdict of “ Guilty.” ’ Wednesday, July 5.

SENTENCE. . 4.1 i r -Robert Moule (33) was placed in the dock for the purpose of being sentenced. In answer to the usual question he said that totaU y unacquainted here, but he had been in responsible employment in Melbourne, where he had been confidential clerk and cashier for three or four of the largest firms in that city. He was not an adventurer, and was well known at Melbourne and at Home, He hoped that the Court would take into consideration the recommendation of the jury, and also the fact that he had already been incarcerated for three months. He an aged mother and a wife and three children dependent on him. He asked for a chance to redeem his faults.

His Honor : Prisoner at the bar, the jury after long consideration found you guilty of the crime with which you are charged. I entifely agree with their verdict! They also coupled with that verdict a recommendation to mercy, but did not state on what grounds. I can only assume, looking at the circumstances, that the grounds were that the effect of what you did would not probably have been to do much harm to third parties, while it would secure considerable benefit to yourself. In passing sentence I shall*take that fact into consideration, and will not pass so severe a sentence as 1 should have done if the effect of your crime was to do any serious mischief. .1 cannot, however, pass over the fact that you are a person of education and intelligence. Where such a person commits a crime of this kind the Court is boond to inflict an exemplary punishment. The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned for the term of two years, and kept at hard labor.

Stealing a watch

Thomas Downey surrendered to his bail in answer to a charge of stealing at Bendigo, neaV Cromwell, on Slay 22, a watch and chain of the value of L 35, the property of Charles 0 Donnell.

Prlsohfel* pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Macassey. Thfe Jury returned a verdict of “Not Guilty,” accompanied with the statement that prisoner left the Court Without a stain on his character 1 ;

THE CLYDE STREET ASSAULT CASE,

John Thomas was indicted for having on the Bth Aprilj 1876, greviouslp assaulted John Barnes, Inspector of Works, occasionin" him actual bodily harm. Mr Macasaey defended accused.

[Left sitting.]