The Crown v. K. B. (1982)

The Court of Chronological Offences · Transcript of proceedings[1982] SZCO 7

Appearances

• accused: K. B.
• prosecutor: The Ministry of Chronology

Proceedings

The court sat at ten. The Clerk called the case and counsel announced their appearances.

The Clerk read the charge under the Chronological Offences Act: possession of an unyear record (a gravestone rubbing). The accused, who is named in the record by initials only, pleaded not guilty. Counsel for the Ministry opened shortly. The Ministry did not propose to produce the exhibit in open court, and the judge said that the court did not expect it.

Witness for the prosecution: an inspector of the Ministry of Chronology

An inspector of the Ministry of Chronology was called and sworn.

Q. You seized the item? A. I received it. The Ministry does not seize; it receives. Q. And it is now? A. In the Sealed Archive, under a number I am not at liberty to give. Q. Did you examine it? A. Sufficiently to know what it was and not sufficiently to know what it said.

Cross-examined. Q. How many such items have you received in your service? A. 127. Q. And how many were what they were said to be? A. All of them, or I should not have received them.

Witness for the defence: a woman who keeps the shop opposite

A woman who keeps the shop opposite, sworn, examined by counsel for the defence.

Q. You know the defendant's side of the matter? A. I know both sides and I have kept out of it until today.

Cross-examined. Q. You did not read the item? A. I did not. Q. Then you cannot say what year it bore? A. I can say that the inspector said what it bore, and that I did not ask him to say it twice.

Witness for the defence: a retired sergeant of the Marsh Regiments

A retired sergeant of the Marsh Regiments was called by the defence.

Q. What is the accused's character? A. As good as mine. Q. That is for the court to judge. A. Then as good as the court's.

Cross-examined. Q. You did not read the item? A. I did not. Q. Then you cannot say what year it bore? A. I can say that the inspector said what it bore, and that I did not ask him to say it twice.

Submissions

Counsel for the Ministry submitted that possession was proved by the inspector and that nothing more was required under the Act. Counsel for the accused submitted that the item had not been produced. The judge observed that it never is, and retired.

Judgment

The court returned when the court resumed after the midday adjournment. The judgment was read and is entered in the Law Reports as follows.

Concerning possession of an unyear record (a gravestone rubbing). Ruling: 16 months and forfeiture.

Costs

Sentence as stated. Costs to the Crown against the accused. The court then rose.