Gaol For Thrashing Child With Poker
(Neto Zealand Press Association)
WANGANUI, July 13.
John William Davis, aged 40, who thrashed his seven-year-old daughter with a hot poker was gaoled for three years by Mr B. S. Barry, S.M., today.
The Magistrate said Davis had subjected the child to terror and agony and must be severely punished. “We are becoming more and more appalled at the neglect and ill-treatment of children and the cruelty wilfully meted out to them in this land of plenty,” said the Magistrate. “If the public knew half of what goes on in these homes there would be an outcry from one end of New Zealand to the other.” The present attitude was against long prison sentences, and the emphasis was more on reformation than punishment, said the Magistrate but in Davis's case, he could not accept that probation would bring about reformation.
“Others with the same outlook towards their children as you must also be deterred
“I don’t think I've given more thought to a sentence, but I can only satisfy my conscience by giving you the heaviest penalty the law allows.”
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30802, 14 July 1965, Page 3
Word Count
186Gaol For Thrashing Child With Poker Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30802, 14 July 1965, Page 3
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