SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 428, 25 August 1908, Page 3

SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

Christchurch, August 23

William Preston and Alexander Gardner, found guilty earlier in the sittings of theft from the person were each ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Hh Plouor deferred passing sentence on John Herbert King, who pleaded guilty in the lower court to indecent assault on a girl under 16 years of age, until he had obtained some further information.

Stanley Herbert Joseph was indicted for that on July 24th he indecently assaulted a girl under 16 years of age. The jury after a retirement brought in a verdict of guilty. Accused was then indicted on a similar charge against another girl under 16 years of age. He pleaded guilty. His Honor, in sentencing prisoner, said that if he thought that the two cases, both occurring practically at the same time and under the same influences, had been isolated cases, or that there was the slightest ground for the idea that accused was addicted to conduct such as that of which he had been convicted, he would sentence him to a lengthy term of imprisonment. His Honour had, however, the statement of the Crown authorities that there was no suggestion of that sort, and that. there was no reason to doubt accused’s statement that (except as to the matter of an assault a number of years ago, for which accused was not actually sentenced) accused had for 23 years borne a good character. There was also the fact that the acts of indecency for which accused had been convicted were simply acts of lewdness with nothing of what might be called a sexual element about them. Children must, however, be protected from such aberrations. His Honour added that he was giving accused the full benefit of his previous good character. Accused was sentenced to six moeths’ imprisonment.

Wellington, Saturday,

A charge against Wm. West, alias Westphal, of having on 18th April, 1908, attempted to commit a serious criminal offence on a married woman, was heard. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty. The foreman stated that the jury was unanimously of opinion that there was nothing whatever against the good character of the complainant woman. His Honour, in sentencing the prisoner to three years’ hard labour; said he concurred with the verdict.