SEVEN YEARS' IMPRISONMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 182, 1 August 1923, Page 7

SEVEN YEARS' IMPRISONMENT.

A KATTTPRE AFFAIR. TROUBLE AT A DANCE. Butolf Bernatrom appeared in the dock at the Supreme Court this morning on a charge of attempted rape, I OT, alternatively, indecent assault, on a ■ female near Kaihere. on May 31, the accused asked his Honor Mr. Justice stringer to find him a solicitor. He ■mentioned that he had understood that Mr. Sullivan was to act for him. His Honor commented that it was a somewhat serious case, and he thought prisoner ought to be defended. Mr. Sullivan was in the court, and his Honor told nim that if he would act for prisoner ■Ms Honor would certify under the Act J for his expenses. Mr. Sullivan conrsented to this, and, after a short adjournment, the case proceeded, prisoner pleading not guilty. Mr. Patereon, for the Crown, said the alleged offence took place at a dance. Accused followed the girl, 21 years old into the kitchen, interfered with her! , and she called her mother. "When told that he was to be charged accused said: I I caught hold of her. I did not do anything to her. They should have let mc alone. I got five years for the same thing before.'"

In addressing the jury, his Honor said the case presented some extraordinary features, and it was very proper that the accused should have someone to defend him. For that reason the Court was thankful to Mr. Sullivan for undertaking the case, and put forth the only possible defence.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty on both charges. His Honor, in imposing sentence, said the accused had been sentenced to five years' imprisonment for a similar offence, and had only been three months out of gaol. The circumstances showed that the accused was a man -who could not control himself. Apparently he was a sexual maniac, and as such was a menace to society. It might be that there was something wrong with his mentality—that could be investigated while he was in gaol. The sentence of the Court would be seven years' imprisonment.