MT. EDEN MOT

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30911, 18 November 1965, Page 25

MT. EDEN MOT

Prisoners Sentenced (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Nov. 17. Two prisoners were today gaoled for an extra year and another for nine months for wilfully setting fire to prison furniture during the Auckland Prison riots on July 20. Leighton Noel Crowe, aged 22, and Don Donovan Ruaihuihua, aged 37, received a year, and Michael Davidson nine months. Mr Justice Gresson said a jury had recommended leniency to Davidson’s case. “Senseless destruction of prison furniture, such as you have indulged in, cannot be condoned,” his Honour said. Mir R. N. T. Norris said Ruahuihui had been to prison since 1958 and had been due for release on October 7. Many prisoners had been involved in the riots and passions had been aroused. It had been a terrible thing that Ruahuihui had jeopardised his circumstances in such a way. Mr A. J. Nixon, for Crowe and Davidson, said they had been aroused from their beds with the prison burning around their ears. Such a sight might have aroused all sorts of impossible dreams of escape. In their elation, they had gathered around fires in the yard and burnt a few pieces of furniture Which might otherwise have been burnt to the general conflagration. “The basic cause of the prison fine was quite beyond their control,” said Mr Nixon.