GAOL FOR TEN YEARS

Evening Star, Issue 25323, 3 November 1944, Page 2

GAOL FOR TEN YEARS

BOY KILLED WITH AXE

JUDGE'S COMMENT OH PRISONER'S CAREER (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Nov. 2. A sentence of 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour was imposed by Mr Justice Johnston in the Supreme Court to-day on ■' Douglas Eraser, •a, farm labourer, aged 48, who .had been found guilty earlier this week of manslaughter when charged, with the murder of Peter James Louis, aged 17, at Gladstone on July 27 last. The boy was killed with an axe.

" There are in this case signs that under the influence of drink you might commit violence to friends and associates without nny provocatior> whatever," said His Honour to the prisoner. " I' cannot let you loose to the public without your first paying the full penalty for this crime.' 5 His Honour added that it must necessarily be a long period in view*.of the very brutal crime committed.

Mr R. Hardie Boys, for the prisoner, said he apprehended that the punishment His Honour might feel impelled in public justice and security to mete out to this man might depend on the view His Honour had finally taken of delirium tremens entering into the matter. The prisoner had borne no malice and -was the greatest of friends with the deceased. It appeared that the prisoner was one of those men who led an unnatural life, shutting themselves away from society for months at a time and having only one; idea of relaxation—drinking in hotels. His Honour commented that in 1934 the prisoner had been sentenced to three years' hard labour for arson and two years' reformative detention for attempted arson. Before the judge sentenced him on that occasion the prisoner wrote a letter in which he said he did not seek to escape punishment, but wished to explain the facts. He had been drinking when he committed the crime, and did. not realise its nature till next morning and then he had only a hazy recollection.

The prisoner. His Honour continued, had realised then what might have happened had the hotel burned with people living there. He had said he had firmly resolved never to touch drink again. Arson was a serious crime, and the prisoner on that occasion had shown an utter disregard.