SUPREME COURT Detention Sentence On Attempted Rape Charge

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31976, 1 May 1969, Page 6

SUPREME COURT Detention Sentence On Attempted Rape Charge

Robert Mayne Steel, aged 19 (Mr S. G. Erber), was sentenced to detention centre training when he appeared for sentence before Mr Justice Macarthur in the Supreme Court yesterday on a charge of attempted rape at Temuka on March 21.

The accused had previously pleaded guilty to the offence in the Timaru Magistrate's Court.

His Honour ordered that the accused pay $lOO towards the costs of prosecution and undergo such psychiatric treatment as might be prescribed by the probation officer during his period of probation on release from the centre. ,

His Honour said the Court had a duty to protect young women from attacks of the kind carried out by the accused. In the great majority of such cases the offender was sentenced to imprisonment.

“Your case has given me a great deal of anxiety. A

number of circumstances have influenced me in not doing so in your case,” said his Honour.

“The psychiatric report shows that as a matter of law you were responsible, but that there may be an explanation for your conduct.” His Honour said that he felt justified, in the circumstances, in imposing a sentence of detention centre training. Mr Erber submitted that the accused was an immature youth who was now remorseful and fearful of the consequences of what he had done. In matters concerning sex knowledge his appreciation and control were less than that of a normal youth of bis age. -i

The severity of the Court’s sentence should be tempered by the accused’s youth, background, behaviour and psychological shortcomings, Mr Erber said.

Mr N, W. Williamson appeared for the Crown.