GILLIES SENTENCED FOR ASSAULT IN PRISON

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30677, 17 February 1965, Page 3

GILLIES SENTENCED FOR ASSAULT IN PRISON

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 16. John Frederick Gillies, at present serving a life sentence for murder, was convicted and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by Mr W. J. Meade, S.M., at a Court sitting in the Chapel of Mount Eden prison today.

Gillies pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting John Joseph Connell, a prison officer, on December 18,1964. Mr D. S. Morris represented the Crown and Mr K. Ryan appeared for Gillies.

Gillies did not immediately appear when his name was called in Court. Mr Ryan said Gillies was having a shower. “When I saw him at 10 a.m. this morning he hadn’t showered or washed and he was a bit irate about appearing before the Court without,” Mr Ryan said. Connell said he was working in the prison dome when William Arnold Clark, another officer, came to speak to him. As a result he went to the east wing and spoke to an inmate, John Jordan William Cross. There were three other inmates there, including Gillies. “I told Cross he must go to the separate division as ordered. He refused. “After there had been some pleading with Cross, Gillies, who was standing close by, also pleaded with Cross to do as he was told and avoid trouble.”

Connell said Cross then backed into an open cell.

“Officer Clark and I went in to persuade him to come out. We took one arm each and tried to escort him outside, but he refused to budge.” Connell said at that stage he had his back to Gillies.

- “I heard a crash behind me. An officer called out ‘be careful’ and I turned and saw Gillies with an upraised squeegee in his hands.”

Hit Door Gillies brought the squeegee down in an arc that would have struck him had it not been deflected by the cell door and a prison officer’s arm, said Connell. He said that two officers had grabbed Gillies, and while they were holding him he had lashed out with his foot. “He kicked me on the solar plexus, just below the ribs. I doubled forward to save myself from falling and thrust my hand into Gillies’ face, forcing him back. “I then received three more kicks, one on the right shin,

one on the left knee and one on the left thigh.” Gillies was then overpowered and taken to the separate division. Connell alleged that as Gillies was taken away he said: “I haven’t finished with you yet, you b .” Connell said he was off work for 10 days as a result of the attack. He suffered a split solar plexus muscle. Connell was asked by Mr Ryan if he threatened Cross. Mr Ryan: Did you threaten to throw him down?—No. Mr Ryan: Did you or any officer treat Cross in such a way as to make him cry out in pain? Connell: I think he did say he was being hurt. Mr Ryan: Did you kick Gillies when you saw him with the raised squeegee?—Certainly not.

Can you explain the sudden change in Gillies’ attitude?— There is a very deep and unusual friendship between Gillies and Cross.

Called to the stand by the defence, Gillies said he was working in the east wing of the prison when Connell tried to “strong-arm” Cross off to the pound. “Cross asked to see the superintendent, and Connell told him if he didn’t go down he would be thrown down. “I told Cross to play it cool, as there was nothing he could do. “Cross then backed into the cell and Connell and another warder twisted his arms. I told them to cut it out, and Connell turned and kicked me in the groin.” Brief Absence Gillies said he had tried to defend himself with his feet. After the incident he was taken to a solitary cell where he had since been confined, except for exercise periods and during his brief absence from the prison two weeks ago. Asked by Mr Morris why he had declined a medical examination after the incident, Gillies replied: “I was that ashamed of being marked by a screw that I refused.” Mr Morris: Are you suggesting that Mr Connell turned on you for no reason at all? Gillies: Yes. I know he hates me and the feeling is mutual. Mr Morris: Did you tell the detective who interviewed you after the incident that it was Mr Connell who attacked you? —No. I wanted to find out which way the ball was bouncing. Re-examined by Mr Ryan, Gillies said he was loathe to talk to the detective. Machine-Gun

Mr Ryan: What did he ask you? Gillies: He wanted to know where I had hidden the sub-machine-gun. The Magistrate found the case against Gillies proved and sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment, to be served concurrently with his life sentence. He reminded Gillies that this type of offence could be taken into account in any future application for parole.