Supreme Court.

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

Supreme Court.

WANGANUI. (Before His Honor Chief Justice Prendergast.) On Wednesday Harry Laing and William Noble, who had been found guilty of stealing from the person, were placed in the dock, and asked if they wished to makejany statement before His Honor proceeded to pass sentence upon them. Noble was the first to address His Honor. He admitted that he had been in the prosecutor's company several times upon the day of the robbery, and had been at Upokongaro, where the robbery took place, but denied that 3*e had taken the money. He regretted that his character was not a stainless one, as his previous offences would, no doubt, be remembered against him now, and his guilt believed before his own declaration of being entirel#^ innocent. He hoped His Honor would take all the circumstances of the case into consideration, and pasg a lenient sentence. The prisoner Laing then addressed His Honor, and denied that he had either stolen the money or been privy to the theft. Mr Abbott had always been a friend to him, and he was the last man prisoner would think of injuring. Prisoner stated that he had never robbed any one of even a shilling, and though found guilty declared that the verdict was wrong and himself perfectly innocent. His Honor said that prisoners had been tried by a capable and painstaking jury, who had come to the conclusion that prisoners did steal the money. The person from whom it had been stolen had been most indiscreet in his conduct on the occasion, in placing so great a temptation in the way of Noble, who was the chief offender. In view of tliis he would make a difference in the sentences and order Noble to be imprisoned for two years with hard labour, and Laing to one year with hard labour.