Man hit daughter with hockey stick

Press, 5 August 1981, Page 2

Man hit daughter with hockey stick

PA Auckland A man who hit his daughter at least eight times with a hockey stick was sentenced to nine months imprisonment when he appeared in the District Court at Auckland yesterday. William John Swann, aged 51. a knifehand, of Mount Eden, had. pleaded guilty to a charge that betweeh May 1 and Jbne 5. having custody of his daughter, aged 11, he wilfully ill-treated her in a manner as to cause her actual bodily harm. .

Mr K. A. Deane, for Swann, said the offence was hot the product of some sadistic desire but that of an over-zealous parent disciplining one of his children. Swann had raised a large family and had always believed that discipline was important. Judge Aubin said that the child had suffered extensive injuries and had had bruises all over the body. The force Swann had used had been indefensible and appalling.

The misdemeanour the child was supposed to have committed had been trivial by any standards and the use of force had been quite unwarranted.

The Judge said that Swann had a conviction for assualt on a female, which had also been a domestic assault.

The probation officer had expressed the view that Swann had been more concerned about the humiliation and cost of the case.

The Judge said he was sceptical about the genuineness of Swann’s remorse, .