COURT CONTEMPT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1932, Page 8

COURT CONTEMPT

THREE WEEK’S IMPRISONMENT

AFTERMATH OF FREE FIGHT

MELBOURNE, April 30

A free fight took place within two yards of the Second County Court t.dny. A few minutes later George E - wants was sentenced to three >»ee..s imprisonment for contempt of court. Judge'Moule, in sentencing George Edwards, said he could not imag ne a more disgraceful occurrence. “The Offence took place practically in my presence and at the doorway o! the; Court. In "my opinion it <onstitutes contempt,” said Judge Motile “It has interrupted the proceedingt of the Court. As a witness was leaving" the Court he was struck by one of the appellants, George Edwards. It was a gross contempt of Court, and I will order his imprisonment for three weeks.”

A stay execution of the sentence was granted until May 22. Witness had been orded out of Court in a case in which four men, including George Edwards were appealing 1 against a conviction and sentence of six months’ imprisonment imposed |,y the Richmond Court on a char e of having had housebreaking implements in their possession. ARMS AND LEGS WAVING. . Suddenly there was a crash and a scuffle just beyond the glass doors leading out of Court. Arms and legs were waving. Senior-Detective Dunn flung himself into the struggling mass and reappeared in Court a few seconds later with George Edwards, who was then charged with contempt i court. Detective Lvon and Sonior-Dote t v Dunn gave evidence that they sa" Gorge Edwards strike his brother Victor Edwards (who attended the Court as a- witness for the C-ionii.) Judge Mottle, who was much upset by the occurrence; adjourned the hearing of the appeal of the .four men against their conviction.