YOUNG MAORIS RECEIVE TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22952, 21 May 1949, Page 6

YOUNG MAORIS RECEIVE TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT

Two young Manutuke Maoris, James Nepia, aged 20, labourer, and Sidney Beauchamp, aged 27, invalid pensioner, who had been found guilty of attempted rape at Manutuke on February 26, were sentenced by Mr. Justice Cornish in the Supreme t Court in Gisborne yesterday.

Nepia was sentenced to two years’ detention in a Borstal institution and Beauchamp to three years’ hard labour. Asking for leniency for the two prisoners. Mr. K. Gillanders Scott said that they wore well aware of the gravity of the offences they had committed. He submitted that liquor, previously rigidly controlled on the marae, but now uncontrolled, had something to do with the offence. Also l the girl had exercised extreme indiscretion in remaining at a partv by herself. He reminded His Honour that the jury had recommended mercy. “There is no question that the girl was mauled and young women have a right not to be knocked about in this way,” said His Honour.'

Addressing Nepia, His Honour said he felt that the best thing would be to have him put somewhere where he would be away from drink and young women and would learn a trade. Borstal was the best place for this. Beauchamp was the more serious offender, said His Honour, who felt that it was this prisoner who had struck and scratched the girl. He would have it noted that the prisoner was a tubercular patient so that the prison authorities would know’ where to send Beauchamp and what work to put him to.