TWO MEN SENTENCED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 116, 19 May 1933, Page 8

TWO MEN SENTENCED.

OFFENCES AGAINST GIRLS. HIS HONOR'S COMMENT. In sentencing William John Sara aged 07 (Mr. Singer), to reformative detention for a period not exceeding three years on four charges of indecent assault upon two girls under the age of 10 years, Mr. Justice Smith this morning said he could not resist remarking upon the number of men of mature years who were brought before the Court in Auckland and tried for offences of the kind under review. "Not all the men were convicted, but whether they were or not it seems to nu that this class of offence is increasing," said his Honor. "Men are coming before the Court more freely on charges such as this than i have known heretofore. I have a public duty to impose a deterrent sentence." Arthur Edward Wallace, aged 33, who had been found guilty of indecently assaulting a girl of nine years and ten months, was represented by Mr. Sullivan, who, in pleading for leniency, emphasised the fact that to their verdict of guilty' the jury had added a strong recommendation to mercy. His Honor said it had been brought out in evidence that the prisoner, who had been in the Navy, had undergone a number of operations. The case was one of some seriousness, and the report stated that the prisoner had been addicted to drugs, and had been convicted and fined £10 for being in possession of dangerous drugs. "Taking all into account, I am disposed to look upon this'offence as a lapse which has some element of excuse about it. You are not mentally strong. You will be sentenced to a period of reformative detention not exceeding two years."