SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 208, 24 August 1908, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CHIUSTCiIURCH fcIuTINGS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Chnstcllureh, Last Niglu. The criminal sittings of-the Supreme Court were renewed before Mr. Justice Dcnuistoa yesterday morning. William Preston and Alexander Gardiner, found guilty earlier in the sitting of theft, from tibe person, t-anic up lor sentence. His Honor ordered uach accused to enter into ids own recognisances and to ronie up for sentence when called upon. His Honor deferred passing sentence on John Herbert King, who pleaded guilty hi the lower -Court to indecent assault on a girl under sixteen years of age, until be had obtained some further information.

Stanloy Herbert Joseph was indicted for that, 011 July 24tUi, lie indecently assaulted a girl under sixteen years of aye. The jury, after a retirement, 'brought in a verdict of '•guilty." His Honor, iii sentencing the prisoner, said that, if he did not think that the two casus, both ocurrfcig practically at the same time and undvr the same influences, had been isolated cases, or that there was the slightest ground for tile 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 Honor 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 2'J years .borne a good character. There was also the fact that the acts of indecency tor which accused had been convicted were simply acts of lewdness with nothing of what might lie called a sexual element about them. Children must, however, be protected from such aberrations. His Honor added that he was giving accused the full l>oncflt i:f iliis previous good character, and, as his Honor believed, the exceptional nature of his conduct on the occasion which led to the charges being made against him, in sentencing him to six months' imprisonment.