The Crown v. S. M. (2003)

The Court of Chronological Offences · Transcript of proceedings[2003] SZCO 6

Appearances

• accused: S. M.
• prosecutor: The Ministry of Chronology

Proceedings

The case was called at 10.00 and the recording began.

The Clerk read the charge under the Act. The accused pleaded not guilty. Counsel for the Ministry opened. 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 took the oath.

Q. Your office? A. Inspector, Ministry of Chronology, 9 years. Q. On the day in question? A. I attended the premises on information received. The item was in a drawer. I sealed it in the presence of the accused. Q. Did the accused say anything? A. He said a number. I did not catch it and I did not try to.

Cross-examined. Q. The accused surrendered the item without resistance? A. He did. Q. He said he had meant to surrender it? A. He said so. Q. Does the Ministry give any weight to that? A. The Ministry gives weight to what it receives and when.

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

A woman who keeps the shop opposite, sworn. Examined by counsel for the prosecution.

Q. What do you know of the matter? A. Only what the whole town knows, which is that the inspector came. Q. Did you see the accused with the item? A. I saw him with something. I could not say what and I would not.

Cross-examined. Q. The accused told you it was his grandfather's? A. He did. Q. Did you believe him? A. I had no reason not to. Q. And no reason to? A. That is so.

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

A retired sergeant of the Marsh Regiments, sworn, examined by counsel for 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. The accused told you it was his grandfather's? A. He did. Q. Did you believe him? A. I had no reason not to. Q. And no reason to? A. That is so.

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 judge returned to the bench shortly after noon and read the judgment, which is entered in the Law Reports in these terms.

Concerning possession of a clock face with an unlicensed year. Ruling: the clock destroyed; no further penalty.

Costs

Sentence as stated. Costs to the Crown against the accused. The court proceeded to the next case on the list.