PRESENTED A RIFLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 236, 17 July 1937, Page 5

PRESENTED A RIFLE.

■ REMANDED FOR TREATMENT. THREAT TO FATHER-IN-LAW. (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, July 16. Unusual circumstances of a charge against a man of presenting a loaded rifle at his father-in-law were related by Senior-Sergeant Packer in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. It was suggested that a loan of £3OO which he could not repay preyed so much on accused’s mind that lie came from the south to the house of his father-in-law and threatened to shoot him. Accused pleaded guilty, and was remanded for a week by Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., for medical observation. The Magistrate said that in his present frame of mind accused was a source of potential danger, and lie would recommend to the Minister lor Justice that accused lie placed in an institution for three months lor medical treatment. “This man deserves the sympathy of the Court in this offence,” said the Senior-Sergeant. The defendant was the son-in-law of the complainant, who had at one time lent him £3OO to purchase a house in Mornington ; and because accused had not paid any interest a. solictor’s letter was sent to him. Accused saw complainant, and told him lie could have the house and its contents. He was working at the time at the Hillside Workshops, and lie gave up his employment and left for the country on June 17. Complainant was attempting to start 4 his motor-car before going visiting. It

was dark, and a man appeared on the scene and offered to fix the engine. This man was the accused, and as complainant walked toward him he said: “Stand still or I will shoot you.” Complainant tried to reason with him, and every time he approached accused threatened to shoot him and complainant’s housekeeper. He emphasised his intention by firing a shot, and gravel from the path struck the housekeeper on the leg. Later he agreed to go into the house, and he walked behind them with'the rifle. Once in the house, he sat on a bench and threatened to shoot if they came near. After lo minutes he walked out of the house. On the next day complainant, who had really done all he could to assist the accused, went by car to see accused, but all accused would say was: “You have ruined my life.” The Magistrate, remanding accused for a week, said be would recommend that lie be placed in a mental hospital for three months for medical treatment.