SEVERE REPRIMAND

Feilding Star, Volume 6, Issue 1909, 21 May 1928, Page 7

SEVERE REPRIMAND

SHOULD MEET THE CASE t 4 WARDERS WHO STRUCK THE EsSCAPEE FINDING IN DOE ST A L CASE ■ (Per Press Assoeialion), a Wellington, May 19. * 'Finding of enquiry into allegations of brutal treatment to escapee by Borstal officers lias been released by tlie Minister of Justice to-day. Mri Cnickshank, S.M.. found on tlie facts that Flanagan was struck once by each warder a blow hard enough for the marks to be seen two days later. He was satisfied Trimble took ho part in ilie striking and was not awaie of it. The conduct of the warders in striking Flanagan was wanton and senseless, but the blows were not in any way severe. It was to be said for the warders that this was the third escape that month. Tliey had been out three days in dreadlul weather and their tempers were frayed. It wa.s known that Flanagan had'stolen a .shotgun and..the tear of his being armed made tb© warders stem in the lfianner of the arrest and search. Mr Cruickshank said it was not in his province to deal with the warders. But if he would he permitted to make a. suggestion he thought the whole enquiry had taught them a lesson and a severe reprimand would meet, the ease.