INCIDENT IN COURT

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 9

INCIDENT IN COURT

INTERFERENCE WITH WITNESS MAGISTRATE’S STERN REBUKE. WELLINGTON, June 24. A sensation was caused in the Magistrate’s Court to-day during the hearing of a case against two women, when Subinspector Ward, who was conducting the prosecution for the police, told the magistrate (Mr E. Page) that a witness who had given evidence (Mrs Corley, a daughter of Mrs Burton) had, after leaving the court, been molested by her father, who said she had no right to give evidence. He was also" reported to have told her that she would suffer for it afterwards. It appeared that her father, who had been at the back of the court, had been shaking his fist at her while she was in the witness box. That was perhaps the reason why she had been so reluctant to answer certain questions. Mr Meltzer (who appeared for Mrs Burton) : I understand the father is not the present husband of the accused. They are divorced, I believe. Sub-inspector Ward (to Mr Page): He is in the prisoner’s room now. Mr Page:: Have him brought here. , “I got a surprise to see her corning here to the court to-day,” said the girl’s father when he appeared before the magistrate. “ When she was walking along to get in the box I just put up my hand.” Mr Page: If what the police say is correct you are guilty, firs&Bbf all, of contempt of court, for which you are liable to imprisonment. If it is true that you have threatened this girl in any way you are liable to be charged with an offence indictable under the Crimes Act for interfering with the conduct of a court of justice. I will give instructions that if there is any evidence of that interference or of the slightest repetition that the police are to prosecute you. The father attempted to make a further explanation, but the magistrate quickly ordered him to stop.