SUPREME COURT.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 111, 8 October 1874, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

Thursday, October 8. [Before His Honor Mr Justice Gresson. J The Court reopened at 10 a. in. INCITING AND SOLICITING TO COMMIT A FELONY. Charles Weed was indicted for having on the 10th August last incited and solicited one George Hendley to commit a felony. The prisoner, who was undefended, pieaded “Not Guilty.” Mr B. Dewsbury was chosen foreman of the jury. Mr Duncan called evidence similar in character to that given in the case of Regina v Hendley. The prisoner having made a short statement to the jury, His Honor summed up, and the jury after a short deliberation returned a verdict of “ Guilty.” His Honor said that he would not pass sentence until the end of the sittings. LARCENY. Robert Adams was charged with stealing a watch on the 29th April last, the property of T. xk. Phillips.

The prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded “ Not Guilty.” The facts of the case, as given in evidence, were that the prosecutor left home early on the morning of the date mentioned, to muster his sheep, and when about two miles from home found that he had missed his watch. He made his loss known on the station, and offered a reward for its return. The prisoner, who was working on the station, told one of the witnesses shortly after this that he had found a watch between the house and the woolshed, and had scratched the initials off it. The prisoner told the witness that if it had belonged to a poor man he would give it up, but that it was no harm to keep it away from those who had plenty. Ultimately the prisoner was arrested by Detective Feast on the Bealey Track, with the watch in his possession. The watch was identified by the prosecutor as being the one lost by him. Mr Duncan called the prosecutor, Mr Philips, Detective Feast, and a witness named Sykes in support of the indictment. The prisoner called a witness named Rosser, a contractor, who deposed to the prisoner having been with him for twelve months in charge of a team of horses. During this time he had been entrusted with large sums of money, and had evinced great honesty in all his dealings with him. The witness also gave prisoner an excellent character for sobriety and industry. The prisoner in defence said that he had found the watch near the station and had thought that he would keep it until it was advertised. He denied obliterating the initials on the watch, but thought that it was done by falling on the stones. And though on the station for a fortnight and three days he never heard anything about the loss of the watch.

His Honor summed up, and the jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of “ Guilty,” but with strong recommendation to mercy on account of his youth, previous good character, and the force of temptation of finding a watch in the manner he had. His Honor sentenced the prisoner to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor. [Left sitting.]