ATTEMPT TO MURDER

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27593, 25 February 1955, Page 9

ATTEMPT TO MURDER

MAN’S ATTACK ON WIFE

PRISON SENTENCE OF SEVEN YEARS

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 24. Colin Henry Booker, aged 38, a traffic officer, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment by Mr Justice Finlay in the Auckland Supreme Court today for the attempted murder of his wife, Emily Hurst Hoad Booker, at their home in Eaglehurst road, Ellerslie, on Augpst 3. Booker was found guilty by a jury on February 16. “I can see no factor that can be taken into consideration in mitigation,” said his Honour to Booker. “Your crime was completely premeditated and callously executed, and it has the necessary consequence of raising the question of deterrence.

‘‘l don’t propose to urge on you the cruelty and utter callousness of what you did, but conduct such as yours raises the question of the safety of other women and the repression of crimes of this kind in order to secure their continued safety,” said his Honour.

“This is because this attempt to kill your wife, and there is no doubt that that was your purpose, for it was only her continued existence which was the barrier to your desires, was in the home—the very place where she might expect the greatest measure of safety—and at the hands of a husband from whom she was entitled to expect nothing but kindness and consideration.

‘‘l am left in the position of having to do my stern duty and impose a sentence which will adequately express the public’s reprobation at this kind of crime, and also adequately deter others from doing likewise. You will be sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.” Booker bowed his head and was taken away. Mr D. S. Beattie, for Booker, said the prisoner had had a very fair trial, and the defence appreciated it. Mr Beattie said that before the trial Booker had made over all his household goods to his wife. •‘That is an indication of his remorse and contriteness,” he said.