OFFENSIVE WRITINGS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4457, 23 August 1922, Page 2

OFFENSIVE WRITINGS.

LETTERS TO YOUNG LADY. MAN'S SANITY DOUBTED. A complaint that offensive ings and objects, to wit, letters and pictures, had been sent to a young lady was the cause of an ac'ion taken against Robert Whitten at the Magistrate’s Court, Paeroa, before Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M., on Monday. Com; plainant, who appeared for his daughter, alleged that he had just cause to fear that such writings were likely to continue, and may lead to provoke a breach of the peace, wherefore complainant petitioned that Robert Whitten be bound over to enter into recognisance. Defendant did not make any appearance. Mr Hanna appeared for complain r ant, and said defendant had acquired the habit of writing tp unprotected ladies and trying to gain their affections. Defendant had been bound oyer on a previous occasion for. a similar offence and had gone on with his offensive habits though: the letters had been returned to him. Whitten had made himself such a nuisance that ic made one wonder whether accused was mentally sound and whether he was a subject for a mental hospital rather than a court of law. Counsel had written to defendant .o desis'. The correspondence had been continued. Counsel had endeavoured to deal with the man leniently, but he must press for a substantial penalty. It was absolutely nepessary to stop the offensive proceedings. He asked that an order be made to prohibit the publication of proceedings. The father of the lady to whom the alleged offensive correspondence had been sent said defendant had told witness that he had sent the letters. Witless warned him tp discontinue. After a few letters had. been received witness had been asked by his daughter to open all enevlopes bearing defendant’s handwriting. Later witness had refused to accept delivery, but the letters continued to arrive, and in strangers’ handwriting. Witness Had asked Inspector Wojilmann to ask defendant to desist, as witness did not desire court proceedings to be taken. Witness identified several letters produced.

Senior-Sergeant O’Grady identified defendant’s handwriting. Defendant had sent a book on mental deficiency and had asked the girl to study it. The letters had been offensive. He did not think defendant was not mentally sound. Defendant had admitted writing certain letters. Witness had a file of letters about six inches high in connection with the case. His Worship said the only thing he had doubt about was whether defendant should be brought in on warrant and examined.

Mr Hanna was not certain whether one examination would show defendant was insane, as he appeared to be all right on occasions. He recommended a course of treatment. His Worship made an order for defendant to enter into ,a recognisance not to repeat the offence. Defendant’s own recognisance would be £lOO, and two sureties of £lOO eaC|h.. Defendant would sign the document forthwith, and would be imprisoned till he did sign it. One feature in the case was that the whole matter must have been one of great annoyance to the young lady. He ordered that no publication be made of the young lady’s name. Defendant was ordered to pay costs, £2 14s. .