Dangerous Age, Judge Says

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31628, 14 March 1968, Page 14

Dangerous Age, Judge Says

(New Zealand Press Association)

TIMARU, March 18.

Reaching a decision was causing him grave difficulties, Mr Justice Henry said in the Supreme Court today in upholding a sentence of six months imprisonment imposed on an Ashburton freezing worker, John Alexander Macpherson, aged 57. for indecently assaulting a girl aged 10 years and four months.

Macpherson (Mr B. J. Petrie) appealed that the sentence, imposed by Mr J. J. Kinder, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Ashburton, was excessive.

Here is a man of 57 who unquestionably had an unblemished character up until that particular time. He indecently assaulted a young girl, openly and before witnesses.

‘That is a thing we sometimes find men of this age are inclined to indulge in after leading blameless lives. It amazed me, when I practised at the Bar, the number of men of good character who appeared on charges such as this.

“Their ages seemed to be between 56 and 59, the most serious age being 59,” he said.