PERVERT IN COURT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1930, Page 3

PERVERT IN COURT

FIVE YEARS' DETENTION

MENTALLY DEFICIENT

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, 29th May.

The much-discussed Mental Defee» tives Amendment Act, 1928, was reierred to in the Supreme Court, when. Stanley" Alfred Vialoux, who, had pleaded guilty to eight offences against young1 boys and girls, was brought before Mr. Justice Herdman for ecu. tenee. Mr. Northcroft, for Vialoux, said that the prisoner had been under observation in the Auckland Mental Hospital. ■ ' .. , The superintendent (Dr. Buchanan) reported that he came within class seven of the definition of a "mentally defective person" as described by, the Act, persons socially defective, that' is, persons who suffer from mental deficiency associated with antisocial conduct and who, by reason of such deficiency, require supervision for their own protection or in the public interest. • His Honour said that he hacV no power to send the prisoner to any institution. - ■ Mr. Northeroft: "He is not merely a person of anti-social habits, but also mentally deficient." * His Honour: "But eau he be certified?". . V . ■ ' Mr. .Noitheroft: "It does seem proper if some suitable machinery is being devised to deal with such eases that this man should not be treated as an ordinary criminal. His relatives wish him to be placed in an, institution so, that he may not repeat the offences.". His Hono\ir: "I may say ..that in many such cases the accused's mental equipment is not what it ought to be." Mr. Northeroft: "The Act intends that special provision shall be made for such eases." His' Honour: "And that has nob been done?" Mr. Northeroft: "That is so. The Act was intended to deal with persons not mentally defective. This man is both mentally and socially defective. It would be unfortunate if because the State has not gone further ana provided special institutions, this matt, should not have the benefit' of treatmerit." Mr; Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, said tho difficulty was that the same arguments could be used on behalf of a number of offenders. A preferable course would be to impose.a term or reformative detention. His Honour said that Dr. Buchanan'* report was that the prisoner was mentally weak and sexually perverted, but not so mentally weak that two doctors could certify him as insane. The case was like many in the past. With the concurrence of tho probation officer, ha had decided to impose a sentence ot not more than five years' reformative treatment. The Prisons Board, which would have jurisdiction over tho prisoner,- included Dr. T. G. Gray, a. distinguished alienist, and possiblyafter considering the prisoner's case the board would be able to arrange for the prisoner's transfer to a mental hospital. . » .. An order for the suppression ot tn« prisoner's name was refused.