DEBASED HUMANITY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 206, 18 August 1911, Page 7

DEBASED HUMANITY

1 A SHOCKING CASE.

! [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AA’ellington, Aug. 17

. Charles Dane, a man of weak intellect, was sentenced to prison' for life by Mr. Justice Chapman this afternoon. The crime is of an unmentionable character. His Honour (to the Crown Prosecutor) : What is known of the accused'!

Air. Ostler : He was found guilty of attempted rape at Nelson fourteen years ago.

“'Without exception.” declared his Honour, “this is the most shocking case that has ever come before me. You have admitted your guilt of a crime which is next to murder. It is one of the most grevious known to our law. AVithin my recollection men were put to death for committing that crime. The law is more merciful now, and does not permit this, but it still regards it as one of the most grievous, and prescribes the severest punishment short of death.” The Grand Jury, added his Honour, recommended him to inflict a flogging in crimes on young people, but he did not propose to do this on account of the severity of the sentence he would inflict and from the excuse that the prisoner had had accidents and did things for which he could not account. Bolts and bars, added his Honour, must be placed between the prisoner and any possible victim. “The sentence of the court,” he concluded, “is that you be imprisoned with hard labour for the rest of your life.”