OWAKA FRACAS

Evening Star, Issue 25169, 8 May 1944, Page 2

OWAKA FRACAS

PRISONER SENTENCED NIKE MONTHS REFORMATIVE Mr Justice Kennedy eat this mOrning for the purpose of passing sentence upon two prisoners, Richard) Edward Skull Wilson, who had been acquitted on a charge of attempted murder, but found guilty of assaulting and causing actual bodily 1 harm to Robert Victor Caley at Owaka; and Thomas. Richard Stubley, who had pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted rape. Mr 0. G. Stevens appeared on behalf of both prisoners!. In the case of Stuibley, Mr Stevens stressed the fact that the prisoner was a good Workman, that he had been led into error by the conduct of the girl, Who had been drinking with him, and that when interviewed by the police ho had made an immediate and frank statement concerning the whole circumstances; also that'there had been no real brutality in. the prisoner's conduct, nor had the girl received any.serious injury. His Honour said he would into consideration certain circumstances in mitigation. The prisoner was ordered to be detained for reformative purposes, for a period of 18 months. " VIOLENT AND PROLONGED ASSAULT." In the case of Wilson, Mr Stevens said that the prisoner camo from a highly-respected family, had received a good education,, and was a a hard-work« ing man. The unfortunate occurrence was a tragedy to him. It had been stated in evidence, , said Mr Stevens, that prisoner's wife had left him, and lie wished to say that the conduct of the other man was entirely the cause of this. Counsel made . a plea for leniency, extending if possible to the granting of a term of probation under the strictest conditions, on account of the prisoner's children. His Honour, remarking that the assault committed by the prisoner had been on 9 of great violence and prolonged, went on to describe the injuries inflicted upon Caley. The jury, added His Honour, had found themselves aible to recommend leniency for the prisoner, and he would be ordered to be detained for reformative purposes for a period of nine months. >