The Shortland Libel Case.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 17 September 1891, Page 2

The Shortland Libel Case.

Judge f'onolly summed up the evidence at the Supreme this morning in the case of Hugh^Pbrtland, solicitor, charged with criminally libelling a young girl. The jury retired for ten minutes, and came into Court with a verdict of Guilty. The Judge pas3ed a sentence of two years' imprisonment, and said that during the whole session there had not been one case that aroused in his mind such horror as the prisoner's. Not content with publishing charges agamsfc the character of the' girl, well-knowing it to be utterly false, defendant had after a lapse of time repeated these charges, aud supported

JkiA with perjury. The Judge said wm^ surprising that while the law allowed hard labour and other additions to punishments for other offences, yet in the present instance it was not allowed. He was glad that he had never yet ordered the lash, but it was strange that tor such a case as this the law did not give the power to make some such addition. The Judge said me prosecutrix's fair fame was absolutely established. The sentence would give the defendant time for reflection and repentance, though he had little hope that anything that would fall from his lips, or any sentence passed would touch the heart of one who had shown himself to be so utterly destitute of every feeling held by a man of honour. The sentence was received with applause. — Press Association.