SUPREME COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1921, Page 1

SUPREME COURT.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] AUCKLAND, Aug. 2. At the Supremo Court, the third trial of Charles de Lucca wa s concluded, on charges of stealing and receiving stationery and fountain pens, of a total value of £lB9, the property of Collins Bros, and Co. It was alleged that accused was supplied with goods by a fellow employee, Trevor Napier Peake, who had admitted stealing them and had been sentenced. After two hours’ retirement-, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. His Honour: I suppose we may assume you road his confession (the reTimrk referring to a signed statement made to the police by De Lucca.). The jury did not reply, and accused was discharged. Thomas Henry Loornb, a married man. aged 58, was charged with alleged unlawful carnal knowledge, or alternately attempted carnal k«oirledue of, and attempted indecent n,v sault on a 15-year old girl on May 16th. In evidence the girl, who is mentally deficient. R aid she didn’t, know the month of the offence. She had justsaid it was after the Police Court! trial and then that it was before the Christmas holidays. Cross-examined, she said that if the wife of accused had fixed October as the date she would not contradict her. Counsel said the delenco was that the alleged olfence occurred in October and as more than six months had elapsed no prosecution could he brought. Accused said ho attempted to have carnal knowledge of the girl about October, this being the only occasion he did so. Cross-examined, ho said the statement made to the police, in June, that the olfence occurred about three mouths previously, was incorrect His wife gave evidence that the only time she spoke to the girl was in October. After an hour’s retirement, the jury returned a verdict of guilty, with «- rider that the girl should lie put under proper restraint. Counsel moved to apply for a new trial on the ground thal the verdict was against the weight of evidence, and asked His Honour to stsv*(• it c.'tse for the Court of Appeal, whether the general verdict on three counts could stand. The Judge reserved the question.