SENTENCE,

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 109, 10 March 1870, Page 5

SENTENCE,

Henry Charles Richards, who had been convicted on the previous day for forgery I at Lawrence, and who, at the request of his counsel, Air. Barton, was remanded for sentence, to enable him to call witnesses to characber, was placed in the dock. Mr. Barton pointed out that, in consequence of the prisoner having resided at Lawrence, he >vas unable to call many witnesses t'> character. He called Mr. M. Murphy, who stated that he had known the prisoner for fifteen j^ears, and that prior to tho present charge being made, he never heard anything against his reputation. The learned counsel also stated that when the prisoner was committed for trial, several persons were willing to beconu bail for him if it had been permitted. His Honour, in sentencing the prisoner, said he had been convicted on evidence which could leave no doubt of his guilt on the minds of those who heard it. Pie had been acting as an unlicensed practitioner of the law, and he assumed to himself the character of legal and confidential adviser to the man he endeavoured to defraud. When a lawyer took advantage of his position to commit such, a crime as the prisoner had been guilty of, it was usually regarded as an aggravation of the offence. The prisoner swore that he saw the- testator sign the document, which purported to be a release for moneys said to be due, and thus added the crime of perjury to that of forgery. Prisoners found guilty of such offences rendered themselves liable to be sentenced to fourteen years' penal servitude ; but the sentence of the Court on that occasion was that the accused be imprisoned for three years. ASSATTL? WITH INTENT* George Haggerty was again placed upon his trial for having committed an indecent assault upon his daughter. The girl was severely cross-examined by Mr. Barton. The Jury, after being absent from Court abou£ an hour, returned a verdict of Not Guilty. The prisoner pleaded guilty to the charge of having attempted to commit suicide, and it was intimated that on his finding bail in the sum of £100-, he would be discharged 1 . The prisoner was then remanded until bail could be procured.