STONE-THROWING.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 342, 25 January 1937, Page 4

STONE-THROWING.

WINDOW BROKEN. Elderly Man’s First Appearance In Court. Pleading guilty to a charge of committing mischief by breaking onte pane of glass valued at; 15s, the property of Sidney James, Walter Brown, labourer, Stratford, was fined 5s and ordered tomake good the damage, when heappeared in the Stratford Police Court this morning before Wessrs W. L. Kennedy and H. C. North, Justices of ftjhe Peace.

Sergeant C. M. Anniss said that at 6.15 p.m. on Saturday Mrs Brown complained that she wanted to go to her son, who had rooms at James’ house, but her husband was outside the gate and would not let her go In. The defendant and his wife had been separated on different occasions and she complained that when under the influence of liquor he had ili-treated and threatened her. The ptflice went to James’ place, and after speaking to Brown, went away. Afterwards defendant threw a stone through a window occupied by his wife. It was a large stone and would have caused injury had it struck her. When seen by Constable Hughes defendant had had a few drinks but was fairly sober. He was an elderly man, aged 64, and was on sustenance. He had never been before the Court previously.

“I am exceedingly sorry for what I have done and I give you my assurance that it will never happen again,” said defendant to the Bench. ‘‘The Sergeant has stated the facts very clearly. I wanted to see my wife but my son and his wi£? would not let me. They have caused a disturtbance before. I have been in this town for 47 years and this Is my first offence.”

Tn view of the defendant’s past good record the Bench had decided to take a very lenient view, said Mr Kennedy in announcing the fine.