IN THE COURTS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12866, 21 May 1936, Page 6

IN THE COURTS

HUSBAND SEVERELY ASSAULTED

BOARDER

JURY RECOMMEND MERCY

ADMITTED TO PROBATION

IPress Asßoeia|Jon). WANGANUI, A Jay 20

George Burns, a married man, charged with assaulting George Cann, a hoarder in his house, was found guilty by a jury to-day ol assault causing actual bodily harm. ’1 he. prisoner was admitted to proha Lion by His Honor Mr. Justice Smith, and was ordered to pay the costs ol the prosecu lion. Tho trial arose from happening which occurred on the night, ol April IT last, when Cann was admitted to hospital suffering from a, sever wound in the right arm. Air. J. Hussey, who set up tho defence of provocation, stressed that Cann had caused, estrangement between Burns and his wife and family, and Burns had at last- boiled over. Burns made a statement from the dock in which he said he had had four vears' war service and it had nil l-omo back to him. He lost his head, and struck Cann with a knife. The jure, which was absent lor an hour and ii-half. including an hour for dinner, returned with a verdict _ ol guilty under extreme p revocation, o'nd recommended the prisoner to mercy.