Beckett v Attorney-General - [1989] 2 NZLR 233

Criminal law — Practice and procedure — Witness refusing to give evidence — Witness at preliminary hearing of indictable offence before Justices of the Peace refused to give evidence and was detained in custody for successive periods totalling three weeks — Whether witness had just excuse for refusal — Whether any good purpose would be served by further periodic commitments — Whether in exercise of their discretion Justices should consider imprisoning or fining witness for contempt of Court — Summary Proceedings Act 1957, ss 39 and 206.