MAGISTRATES’ COURTS

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1640, 23 May 1879, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, May 23. [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., R.M., and John Ollivier, E?q., J.P.] Deukennesb.—An inebriate, for a first offence, was fined 5s and costs, LUNACY.—A person of unsound mind was, on the testimony of two medical gentlemen, ordered to bo sent to the Lunatic Asylum. Larceny or Hamb.— James Gilbert was charged with stealing two hams, value 275, the property of Mr Thomas Green, the bacon curer of Manchester street. Mr Neck appeared for the prisoner, and asked that tho prosecutor might be allowed to withdraw the charge, as ho was anxious to do. The prisoner hud been for thirty years in the colony, and for many years in the service of Mr Green, and until tho present time there had never been a stain on his character. A large number of witnesses wore present to speak on behalf of Gilbert, having known him for a long time. The present offence appeared to him to have been a sort of kleptomania on the part of accused. The Magistrate did not see how the case could bo withdrawn. The question of character would ©f course bo taken into consideration in passing sentence. Mr Neck then pleaded guilty, and called tho following witnesses to character. Mr Thos. Green, the prosecutor, the Rev Mr Oholmondeloy, Mr Goo. Duncan, Mr Dale,. Sergeant Maurice and Mr John Ollivier. Several of these witnesses had known the prisoner for twenty years. Tho Bench said they would give every benefit of tho good character to the prisoner. They did not wish to bring further discredit upon him and his family, and they thought justice would be served by entering up a conviction against him and discharging him with a caution. The accused then left the Court. Stealing Boots, —John Walsh was charged with stealing a pair of boots, value £l, the property of John Goodman, of Colombo street. From the evidence of the prosecutor it appeared that, on the previous evening, the prisoner had rolled in the doorway in a state of apparent intoxication, and had taken from a nail a pair of boots, which he had hidden under his coat. Prisoner said he was intoxicated at tho time, and did not remember anything about it, Prosecutor said he was perfectly sober. Mr Inspector Hickson said prisoner was a well-known character, having been several timss convicted for larceny. He would ask for a remand, as a pawn ticket had been found upon him tor a pair of boots, which he (the Inspector) had reason to believe wore stolen. • The prisoner was then remanded until Monday.