SERIES OF CHARGES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 131, 3 May 1940, Page 8

SERIES OF CHARGES.

MAGISTRATE’S COURT HEARING Nine charges were preferred in the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, against Eugene Charles Dominic Patrick McCarthy, alias Hughio McCarthy, alias Henry Johnson, aged 32, labourer, of no fixed abode. Five of these alleged indecent assaults, and two alleged attempts to commit indecent assault. Another charge was that, on December 22 at Palmerston North, he converted to liis own use, hut not so as to be guilty of theft, a bicycle valued at £2, the property of H. G. Turner. The remaining charge was that, on December 2, at Palmerston North, he assumed the designation of a member of the Police Force by stating that he was a police constable. Over thirty witnesses were due to be called. Accused entered a plea of not guilty to the last charge, and was not required in the meantime to plead to the others. Messrs G. M. Ranson and W. G. Ashworth, J.P.’s, were on the Bench and Detective-Sergeant A. B. Meiklejohn conducted tho case for tho police. Accused asked that lie be remanded so that Tie could secure counsel or have counsel be designated to him. Mr Meiklejolin said that accused was arrested on December 23, escaped on January 2, and was re-arrested in the South Island, being returned to Palmerston North on Monday of this week.. Since then he had been negotiating with at least- two solicitors to take his case. If any arrangements could he made, in a.short adjournment, for .counsel to act for accused it would be in the interests of justice. Accused had £7 in liis possession,’ and whether or not he wished to spend that on his legal defence was his affair. A remand would be opposed, as there were over 30 witnesses to he heard and many of them were in Court. After accused had been examined on oath by the Justices as to bis efforts to secure the services of a solicitor, they stated that they were satisfied that the case must go on. The hearing of evidence was then proceeded with.