LIABLE TO FLOGGING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 56, 7 March 1932, Page 8

LIABLE TO FLOGGING.

JUDGE'S GRAVE WARNING. ASSAULT ON TAXI DRIVER. YOUNG MAN SENTENCED. "We see by the newspapers that this sort of crime goes on in Australia, but as far ns I am concerned cases that come before me will be seriously dealt with," said Mr. Justice Keod at the Supreme Court this morning when Leslie Jack Davis, aged 19 years, appeared for sentence, he having pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob. Counsel for the prisoner said he had not previously been before the Court on a criminal charge. He became involved witli a girl, and in order to get money to help her out of a difficulty he conceived the idea which led him to commit the crime. It was a serious crime, but counsel asked his Honor to take into consideration prisoner's youth and previous home life. His Honor (to prisoner): You conceived the idea of laying out a taxidriver and robbing him, and for carrying out such en offence you are liable to imprisonment for life and three floggings. That is the class of crime you committed when you struck the taxi-driver on the head. Cases of this sort of crime when they come before me will be dealt with seriously. If avc liave further cases of this class of crime floggings will certainly be ordered. I don't propose to order a flogging in your case, but you will be sentenced to four years' imprisonment with hard labour. The Crown Prosecutor drew the attention of his Honor to the charge, which . was not one of robbery with violence,. but of assault with intent to rob. '. His Honor: Oh, is that so? Well, the charge is wrongly laid. Bring the prisoner back. Da.vis was again placed in the dock. His Honor: You arc fortunate in the fact that you have not been properlycharged. The limit of your punishment is three years, and I shall certainly give you that. You are sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour.