Woman Given 3 Years*’ Probation For Arson

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30499, 22 July 1964, Page 14

Woman Given 3 Years*’ Probation For Arson

(From Our Own Reporter)

GREYMOUTH, July 21. Mary Pope, a married woman, aged 49, who had been found guilty of committing arson at Te Kinga on March 8, was placed on probation for a period of three years by Mr Justice Wilson in the Supreme Court at Greymouth today. Appearing on behalf of the prisoner, Mr C. R. McGinley said she had had a very hard life. Her first husband deserted her and the second one had been nearly drowned in a boating accident at Lake Brunner. The resultant state of mind must have contributed towards making her unaware of what she was doing. Counsel pointed out that after her arrest Pope had spent approximately two months in Seaview Hospital at Hokitika. In view of the probation officer’s report and also in view of the strong recommendation of mercy made by the jury, counsel asked that the prisoner be dealt with as leniently as possible. After telling the prisoner that arson was one of the most serious crimes on the calendar, his Honour said: “Unfortunately you added to the seriousness of your offence by insisting on giving evidence and denying the truthfulness of an accurate admission you had already made. “If it were not for your hitherto blameless record, that you have brought up two families and also that the jury had made a recommendation for mercy, I would have felt

obliged to impose a term of imprisonment. However your hitherto honest life stands in your favour today,” said his Honour, who then admitted the prisoner to probation.