RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3400, 14 November 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY.

(Before E. W. Puckey aud J. Skene, Esqs., J's.P.) BUBETIES OF THE PEACE. John Filzgibbon. was charged by his wife Jano with assaulting her, wherefore ehe applied that he be bound over to keep the peace. Defendant, who appeared to be suffering from the effects of liquor, pleaded not guilty. The prosecutrix deposed that she had been married 5 years, aud defendant constantly illtrcated her. At this stage the bench adjourned the case till to-morrow, as defendant was not in a fit state to appear in Court. SUSPECTED LUNACY. John Kourke,|charged with lunacy, was further remanded for a week. AN UNNATUKAL OFFENCE. John D. Penton, a young man, was charged with committing aa unnatural offence at Beluiont, Ohinemuri, yesterday. Prisoner was defended by Mr Dodd. The "Court having been cleared of the crowd whose prurient curiosity had drawn them thither, Peter Austin deposed that the prisoner was in his employ and had been working for a year. Yesterday morning about 5 o'clock witness had occasion to go to the shed near the stable where prisoner slept, and saw him in the act of committing the crime accused of (the detail* of which are, of course, unfit for publication.) Prisoner had hitherto borne a good character. The Court adjourned till two o'clock. After the adjournment— Constable Mcnzies, slalioued at Paeroa,

deposed to arresting the prisoner. When accused ol tho offence ho mude a statement denying tho charge. Prisoner reserved his defence, and was fully committed to tako his trial at the next sii ling of tiie Supreme Court. Bail was allowed, himself in one surety of £200 and two other sureties of £100 each.

Court adjourned.