Judge warns bashers

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33917, 9 August 1975, Page 3

Judge warns bashers

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 8 “Let word go forth that the Courts will endeavour to put down this kind of offending,” Mr Justice O’Regan said today in the Supreme Court when sentencing Ronald George Collier, aged 26. a labourer, to five years gaol on a charge of injuring a 14-year-old boy. He had pleaded guilty. “This is a further example of the callous brutality that has been plaguing our community of late,” his Honour said. “Heavy penalties for this type of offence have lately been imposed, but they do not appear to be causing any abatement.”

Collier was fortunate not to be facing a charge of murder, as his victim had been close to death for two weeks, his Honour said. The last report on him was that he w'ould continue to suffer serious residual brain damage, but that he might be capable of living outside an institution. There had been a confrontation with the boy in a disreputable speakeasy in Wellington, his Honour said. Together they Went to a yard at the rear of the premises. Having knocked the boy to the ground, Collier kicked him savagely in the head, then went away, leaving him deeply unconscious. To say that Collier had a bad record would be a gross understatement, his Honour said. He had been gaoled 10 times since 1967, and before that had had two Borstal terms.