SUPREME COURT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1832, 6 January 1880, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS. Monday, January 5. [Before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston.] The following cases were disposed of yesterday after going to press : LARCENY IN A DWELLING. Henry William Ford was indicted for having on tho I6th December, 1879, stolen one watch and chain, the property of Alfred Ringwood, in the house of B. W. Shearman at Ashburton. The prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded “ Not guilty.” Mr Duncan prosecuted on behalf of the Crown. The case for the Crown was that the prosecutor had left his watch and chain in his bedroom, and that on searching the prisoner tho watch and chain described was found on him. Evidence in support of the indictment having been heard. The prisoner made his defence, which was to the effect that at the time ho was called upon to be searched he had not the slightest idea that he was in possession of the articles found upon him. He had not the slightest idea how they got there. His Honor then summed up, saying that from the evidence the jury had only one conclusion to arrive at, if they placed no reliance on his statement, which was unsupported by evidence, namely, that he became unlawfully possessed of the articles alleged to have been stolen by him. Tho jury, after a brief consultation, returned a verdict of “ Guilty.” The Inspector said there was nothing known against the prisoner, whoso father was a respectable resident at Lseston. The sentence of the Court was, that the prisoner be sent to gaol with hard labor for eighteen months. LARCENY FROM THE PERSON. Richard Palmer and Minnie Thompson, alias Edwards, were arraigned upon an indictment charging them with larceny from tho person of John Young. John Young was called, stating that ha had stopped for a short while at the house of the accused, and missed his money there. Gave information to the police, and Detective Benjamin, on searching tho house, found witness’s money in the bed upon which the prisoners wore lying, and part of his purse in the fireplace. The accused cross-examined tho witness at considerable length. Other evidence having boon heard, His Honor summed up. The jury found a verdict of “ Guilty” against Minnie Thompson, and "Not Guilty” aa to the male prisoner, who was ordered to stand down. Evidence of a previous conviction of felony (in July, 1875) was brought forward against Minnie Thompson, and there were in all twenty-five cases recorded against her within ten years.

Evidence of a previous conviction of felony (in July, 1875) was brought forward against Minnie Thompson, and there were in all twenty-five cases recorded against her within ten years. His Honor, in sentencing the prisoner, remarked upon the state of immorality disclosed in the evidence, and sentenced tho prisoner to four years’ penal servitude.

LABOENY. Patrick Moss was charged with stealing money to the amount of ffl, from the parson of William Wilson. Evidence in support of the indictment was called, and the witnesses were cross-examined by the prisoner, who also made a long statement in his own defence. The jury returned a verdict of “ Guilty.” In reply to the Court, The Inspector stated that prisoner had never been convicted, bat was well known to the police as a loafer. The sentence of the Court was that prisoner be sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with hard labor. The Court then adjourned till ten o’clock this morning. Tuesday, January 6. [Before his Honor Mr Justice Johnson.] The sitting of the Supreme Court was resumed at 10 a.m. LABCENY IN A DWELLING. John Anderson was indicted for having, on the 26th November last, feloniously broken into and entered the house of Edward Atholston Worthy, and stolen therefrom certain property. The prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded “ Not guilty.” Mr Duncan prosecuted on behalf of the Crown. The facts relied on by the Crown were that on the night of the date laid in the indictment the house was locked up. The next morning the door of the house was found broken open, and the property alleged to have been stolen gone. Information was given to the police, and on the prisoner being arrested at Ashburton for drunkenness the property indentified by Mr Worthy as his property was found upon the prisoner, Mr Duncan Laving called evidence in support of the indictment. The prisoner stated that be had purchased the watch forming part of the property stolen from a man who said he had been on the railway at Invercargill. His Honor summed up, and the jury returned a verdict of “ Guilty” of larceny in a dwelling. His Honor sentenced the prisoner to eighteen months' imprisonment with hard labor. INDECENT ASSAULT. I James Wells was indicted for having indecently assaulted one Leah Bister. The prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded “Not Guilty." After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict of “ Guilty.” His Honor sentenced the prisoner to eighteen months’ imprisonment with hard labor. LABCBNY. Thomas Eagleheart was indicted for having stolen a number of imitation gems from the Museum.

The prisoner, who was defended by Mr Neck, pleaded "Not Guilty.” Evidence was led by Mr Duncan for the Crown, and His Honor summed up, reading over the evidence in the case.

The jury, after a short consideration, returned a verdict of “Not Guilty.” The prisoner was then discharged. [Left sitting,!