Month’s Gaol For Assault On Prison Officer

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 23

Month’s Gaol For Assault On Prison Officer

IN.Z. Press Association) FEW PLYMOUTH, April 6. A New Plymouth prison inmate, Raymond Lester Murray. aged 26, struck a prison officer with such force that he knocked him to the ground and forced a tooth through his lip, the prosecutor, Mr J. A. Laurenson, said in the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court today. Murray, who is at present serving the first year of a two-year sentence for assault, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting the officer. Henry Hamish Perry, on March 25. Mr E. F. Rothwell, S.M., sentenced Murray to a month’s goal, to begin at the end of the cumulative terms of his sentence now being served. Appearing for the Justice

Department, Mr Laurenson said that Murray was with the officer at 5.20 p.m. on March 25 when there was a clothing inspection at the prison. Some of the inmates had complained about clothing being short. Murray made a remark and, when reprimanded, he used obscene language. Later, when being placed in a cell, Murray swung around and struck Perry in the face. The officer fell to the floor and was quite dazed. In explanation. Murray said that he had taken exception to the attitude Perry was showing towards him. Mr Laurenson said Murray had previously assaulted a prison officer at Christchurch. Murray told the Magistrate he had nothing to say.