SUPREME COURT.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 109, 6 October 1874, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS,

Monday, October 5. [Before his Honor Mr Justice Gresson.] OBTAINING MONEY AND GOODS BY FALSE PRETENCES. James McGill was indicted for having, on 21st August last, obtained goods and money on a valueless cheque, drawn by him on the Bank of New Zealand, from Henry Marks. The prisoner pleaded “ Not Guilty.” Mr E. Garland was chosen foreman of the petty jury. The facts of the case were as follows On the 2lst August, the prisoner went to the shop of one Henry Marks, a fruiterer, in Christchurch, and there purchased fruit and confectionary to the amount of 4s, tendering in payment a cheque for £2, signed by himself on the Bank of New Zealand, Ashburton. He represented himself to the prosecutor as a publican at Ashburton, and, after some conversation with him, Marks gave him the balance, £1 IGs, deducting the cost of the fruit, &c. The cheque afterwards turned out to be a valueless one.

Mr Duncan called the prosecutor, Sergeant Greenwood, of the Ashburton, Mr Cooper, of the Bank of New Zealand, Ashburton, and Mr J. W. Smith, in support of the indictment.

The prisoner handed up a written statement to his Honor, but after some short time the prisoner made a verbal statement, to the effect that Mr Buddie, the agent of the Bank, had always given him an overdraft. His Honor having shortly summed up, the jury returned into Court with a verdict of 11 Guilty.” The prisoner was then indicted for a previous conviction in March, 1870, for a misdemeanour.

OBTAINING GOODS AND MONEY UNDER FALSE PRETENCES.

James McGill was further indicted for having on the 22nd August last obtained goods and money from one Sarah Mitchinsou on a cheque for £3, drawn by himself, which cheque was subsequently found to be valueless.

The prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded “Not Guilty.”

Mr E. Garland was chosen foreman of the petty jury. The facts of the case were very similar to those of the previous one. On the day imntioned in the indictment the prisoner went to the shop of Mrs Mitchinson, a fancy repository, at the corner of High and Hereford streets, and there purchased some baskets, in payment for which, he tendered her a cheque for £3 on the Bank of New Zealand, Ashburton, tolling her that he was a publican at the Ashburton, and had a number of horses. On the faith of these representations Mrs Mitchinson took the cheque, giving the prisoner the change and the property he had purchased. I i support of the indictment Mr Duncan called Mrs Mitchinson, Mr Cooper of the Bank of New Zealand, Ashburton, Mr John W. Smith, and Sergeant Greenwood. His Honor having summoned up, the jury returned a verdict of “Guilty,” without leaving the box.

Mr Duncan entered a nolle j??’oseytii in the other erses against the prisoner. His Honor sentenced the prisoner to two year’s imprisonment with hard labor on Marks’s case, and to one year’s imprisonment on Mitchiuson’s case, the latter sentence to take effect on the expiration of the first one.

Tuesday, October 6. The sittings of the Circuit Court resumed at ten a.tn. to-day.

INDECENT ASSAULT

Thomas Madden was indicted for having on the 10th August indecently assaulted Emily Burnham, and further ill treated the said Emily Burnham. Mr Duncan prosecuted for the Crown. Mr Garland was chosen foreman of the petty jury. The evidence in the case was of course unfit for publication. Mr Duncan called the prosecutrix, Emily Burnham, Mrs Klingenstein, aud Sergeant Greenwood in support of his case. The prisoner defended himself with great ability, and made a very eloquent address to the jury. His Honor summed up, and the jury, after a short retirement, returned a verdict of Not Guilty.’ A manifestation of applause was promptly suppressed. The prisoner was then discharged. No Bills. During the morning the Grand Jury returned into Court with no true bills in the three eases of Regina v Crawford (captain of the Cathcart), shooting with intent to do bodily harm. TRUE BILLS. During the day the Grand Jury returned true bills in the following cases Regina v Charles Weed, inciting aud soliciting to commit a felony ; Regina v Frederick Peiper and George Doig, larceny ; Regina v George Henley, soliciting aud inciting to commit a felony; Regina v Thomas lummins, attempt to commit bestiality. The Grand Jury who made no presentment were then discharged. DISCHARGE. Captain Crawford of the Cathcart, who had surrendered to his bail, aud against whom no true bill had been found by the Grand Jury, was brought up and discharged. [Left sitting.]