FIREARMS OFFENCES ‘MOST SERIOUS’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30711, 29 March 1965, Page 3

FIREARMS OFFENCES ‘MOST SERIOUS’

(New Zealand Press Association)

TAURANGA, March 28. Offences involving the presentation of firearms were most serious and had to be severely dealt with, Mr G. J Donne, S.M., said when Henry Alfred Prole, aged 47, a farmer, of Omokoroa, appeared before him for sentence on five charges arising from incidents at Omokoroa on March 11. ! On charges of being in posI session of firearms without lawful purpose, being unlawfully in possession of firearms i and ammunition, presenting a firearm, and obstructing police officers in the execution of their duty. Prole was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment. The Magistrate said the offence was made more serious by the fact that Prole had ap-

peared before him in May, 1963, on a charge of attempting to present a firearm. On that occasion Prole was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment and it was obvious he would have to make sure Prole was stopped from doing anything similar in the future, the Magistrate said. “This was a very nasty and dangerous incident that could have led to very serious consequences.” The Magistrate directed Prole undergo psychiatric treatment while in prison. Counsel for Prole, Mr D. W. Reeves, had asked that the Magistrate make the direction regarding treatment. He said the incidents that led to Prole’s appearance were caused by his state of mind.