PRESENTED RIFLE AT FATHER-IN-LAW

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 249, 17 July 1937, Page 13

PRESENTED RIFLE AT FATHER-IN-LAW

Charge Admitted in Court MAGISTRATE’S COMMENT By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, July 16. Unusual circumstances of a charge against a man of presenting a loaded rille at his father-in-law were related by Senior-Sergeant I’acker in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. It was suggested that a loan of £3OO lie could not repay preyed so much on his mind that lie came from the south to the house of his father-in-law and threatened to shoot him. He admitted the offence and was remanded for a week by Mr. 11. W. Bundle. S.M., for medical observation. The magistrate said that in his present frame of mind he was a source of potential danger and he would recommend to the Minister of Justice that he be placed in an institution for three months for medical treatment. Accused pleaded guilty. “This man deserves the sympathy of the court in this offence,” said the senior-sergeant. Defendant was the son-in-law of complainant, who hud at one time lent him £320 to purchase a house in Mornington, and because accused had not paid any interest a solicitor’s letter was sent to him. Accused saw complainant and told him be could have the house and its contents. He was working at the time at the Hillside workshops and gave up his employment and left for tlie country. On June 17 complainant was attempting to start his motor-car preparatory to going visiting. It was dark and a man appeared on the scene and offered to tlx the engine. This man was accused and as complainant walked towards him he said: “Stand still or I will shoot you.” Complainant tried to reason with him and every time he approached accused threatened to shoot him and complainant’s housekeeper. He emphasised his intention by firing a shot and gravel from the path struck the housekeeper on the leg. Subsequently he agreed to go into the house and lie walked behind them with the rifle. Once in the house he sat on a bench and threatened to shoot if they came near. After 15 minutes he walked out of the house. Next day complainant. who had really done all he could to assist accused, went by car to see accused but all he would say was “You have ruined my life.” The magistrate remanded accused for a week and said that he would recommend that he be placed in a mental hospital for three months for medical treatment.