A SCENE IN COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1853, 14 February 1889, Page 4

A SCENE IN COURT.

Melbourne, Feb. 7. An extraordinary scene took place at the Court of General Session, Melbourne, last week, George Smitb, an elderly man, who is stated to have formerly practised as a solicitor in Melbourne was arraigned before Judge Casey for stealing three books of law reports, valued at £3, from the Supreme Court library. Prisoner pleaded "Guilty" to feloniously receiving ; and the Clerk then proceeded to ask him to plead to a number of previous convictions, Smith denied his identity with the prisoner indicated in these documents, but, on behalf of the Crown, three previous convictions were established against Smitb, and he was asked if be had anything to say why sentence should not be passed upon him, Smith, who had been conducting himself in an insolent manner, said he had only pleaded guilty to receiving, not knowing the books to have been Btolen, His Honor replied that Smith distinctly pleaded "Guilty " to feloniously receiving. The prisoner repeated his statement, but His Honor refused to hear any more on the subject. Upon being again asked if be had anything to say why sentence should not be passed upon him, prisoner said, "I don't understand. You say I pleaded ( Guilty,' and I say I did not," His Honor: Very well, I will soon make you understand. I shall not allow you to make a travesty of a Court of Justice. Ton will be dealt with very shortly and very sharply. You are a man that ought to be kept in gaol. The prisoner (hotly) : I am not one of those meu. lam a gentleman, and the son of a gentleman. I have occupied a good position in Melbourne, There are plenty of people iu Melbourne not in gaol who are more fit to be in gaol than I am. His Honor : If you are a gentleman, you will behave as one. Prisoner : You are showing an animus against me, and you have no right to do it. You ought to learn to conduct yourself properly. His Honor : The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned in Her Majesty's gaoi at Melbourne for a period of three years, with hard labor. Officer, remove him. Prisoner (excitedly) : I will remove you off the Bench yet! Smith was conducted to the underground coll.