SUPREME COURT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10282, 17 May 1919, Page 7

SUPREME COURT

SERIOUS CHARGES

THREE PERSONS BEFORE SUPREME COURT.

Yesterday the Supreme Court was engaged with the hearing of serious charges against three persons. The Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) occupied the bench, and the Crown wias represented by Mr P. S. K. Macassey.

The accused were Jean Collyns, Alice Scoblo, and Joseph Hill, and they were jouuly charged with conspiring to procure abortion, using an instrument, and administering noxious drugs to procure abortion. There were four counts against Joseph Hill, three against Jean Collyns, and two against Alice' Scoble. Mr *J. P. Jackson appeared for Collyns and Mr H. E. O'Leary for Hill. Scobio was not represented by counsel. Mr F. B. Gormiey was foreman of the jury. Prior to the jury being sworn in, Mr Jackson made an application that the counts against Collyns should be taken oparately. The . application was made under section 2. of clause 397 of the Crimes Act

His Honour: You’re asking for three trials

Mr Jackson: Yes, your Honour. After some discussion, His Honour declined the .application on the ground that he would be setting up a new rule if he did so. The allegation was that there had been collusion, and he could not grant a separate trial. The three accused pleaded not guilty.

'Che jury retired at 5 p.m., and it was not until 8.30 p.m. 'that it returned with a verdict of not guilty against Hill on all counts. Jean Ooilyns was found guilty on the second count and not guilty on the other counts. Alice Scoble was found guilty on both counts. With regard to Scoble, the jury recommended that,, on account of her age, the should be leniently treated. The prisoners were remanded till this morning’ for sentence. CASES AT~NEW PLYMOUTH. Press Assoitis-iioo. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 16. At the re-trial in the Supreme Court' to-day of Alfred James Bysauton, charged with indecently assaulting two little girls at Mokau, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Decrees nisi were made in the following cases:—"Bose Wilson v. Hugh Wilson, Emma Elizabeth Wilson v. Frederick Charles Wilson, Mary Hutchinson v. Thomas Hutchinson, Evelyn Brett.v. George L. Brett. DUNEDIN SENTENCES. Press Associate .n. DUNEDIN, May 16. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were concluded this morning, when the following sentences were passed. William Laurence Smith, Arthur Robert Inglis, and’ Maurice Meryyn Inglis, three lads, who pleaded guilty to breaking and entering, were discharged on probation, conditional on their giving an undertaking in regard to restitution. Donald Forbes, a returned soldier. Was convicted of common assault at Roxburgh, and was ordered to he released on paying £ls towards the costs of the prosecution; - Joseph ■ French, for false pretences, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment. James Arthur Cameron Perry, aged sixty-four, for indecent assault, was ordered to . pay the costs of the prosecution, £8 ’ 14s.