SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1927, Page 1

SUPREME COURT

(jjv Telegraph—Per Press Association

C’HIUHTCTinH'Ii. Aug. 10. James Ignatius O'Connell, a middleaged man. pleaded guilty at toe Supreme < oiift to-day, to a charge of having indecently assaidted a ehild in 'April last. Prisoner was remanded until Thursday tor .sentence. A plea of nut guilty was offered by William Kit.son. commission agent. Wellington, charged with malting a Pet with Alfred Vivian Whitta, an alleged bookmaker, of Christchurch, on March 10th.

Kitsnn was one of many prosecuted after a raid made on Whitta's promises, a few days after March 10th.. Put Kitson elected to lie tried hv a jury. Wliitta was convicted of tiro offence of hookmaking on March 10th. Tire Crown Prosecutor, Mr Donnelly, said that as the result of the raid on Whitta’s premises, a telegraphed hot from Kitsnn to Whitta asking for a double on the Wellington races, was traced. When interviewed in Wellington by a detective. Kitson had admitted the offence, and said he would plead guilty. However, he had changed his mind. Whitta had not sent to Kitson the usual confirmation of the bet, although the hot was hooked, hut it was clear that- an attempt to hot had been made by Kitson. M r C. S. Thomas, counsel for accused, said that on March 10th. Whitta had not been proved a bookmaker. “It is a ease in which you should exercise common sense. said the Judge addressing the jury. Having retired at 11. do n.m. the jury returned at 2.20 with a verdict of not guilty of making a hot. but guilty of an attempt to do so. The Crown Prosecutor informed His Honour that Kit=on had never previously been convicted, but lie appeared to have been Whitta’s Wellington agent. Kitson was fined £?0 in default six weeks' imprisonment. James Gordon Bennett, a young senman. was charged at the Supreme Court to-dav. that on July Dili on the steamer Maori, he robbed John Hebert Seollny. of £lO. with personal violence. Accused pleaded not guilty. The jury found prisoner guilty of assault only, and not. guilty of robbery. Prisoner was remanded for sentence.