NORMAN SENTENCED.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 May 1938, Page 7

NORMAN SENTENCED.

DESERVED FLOGGING. TO SERVE IN GAOL FOR SIX AND A-HALP YEARS. "You have been found guilty of a frightful crime. You didn't want a housekeepe*-. You simply got the young woman there for the purpose of violating her. What I should do is order you a flogging."

With this comment the Hon. Mr. Justice Blair sentenced William Charles Norman, labourer, of Otaki, to six years' gaol. Norman had been found guilty of rape, assault so as to cause actual bodily harm, and thirdly, of assault, in the Palmerston North Supreme Court last week. Asked if he had anything to say, Norman said he was sorry for what had happened. He had made up his mind to join the Salvation Army and would like leniency. He had a young family growing up. His Honour: Growing up with other people's assistance. You don't keen them. Norman.- I maintain them. His Honour: The report I have is that you don't. How can you, because you have been mostly in gaol? Norman: Waiting in gaol for this trial has been a terrible strain on me. The Salvation Army has come to my assistance and I want to become a straight and honest citizen. His Honour: Is that all? Norman: I had nobody to defend me. His Honour: I assisted you. Norman: I thank you. His Honour: The jury's verdict was quite right. There was only one possible conclusion. I brought fowvard anything that could be said for your assistance. You wanted to get the jury to swallow that you didn't know this and didn't know that. Norman; I ask you again for leniency and promise to make good. His Honour: You must have made a lot of attempts to do that. Since 1922 little of your time has been spent out of gaol. You started in 1914, but we will let that pass. In October, 1922, you were convicted of theft and received a year's reformative detention. Then you were all right for a bit after that. Norman; I was thrown from a horse. His Honour: A very handy excuse, that. In March, 1929, you were convicted of theft. In May, 1929, there is theft again. In May, 1930, you were again before the Court. Then again you were up in August of the same year. In February of the next year you were at it again. In 1933 you got a year's reformative detention ror assault causing bodily harm. When you got out you committed burglary and went to gaol for three years. No sooner were you out again than you faced fresh theft charges. It all shows that since 1929 you prefer to be in gaol. Norman: My head injuries have been the cause of my downfall. I am determined to make good.

His Honour: You no doubt said the same sort of thing when pleading after your other offences. You have been found guilty of a frightful crime. You [didn't want a housekeeper. You simply i got the young woman for the purpose of violating her. What I should do is order you a flogging. That is what you should get, but you are an oldish man and have spent a great deal of your time in gaol. Now you are going to spend a great deal more time there. A sentence of ten years would have been justifiable. Norman: I ask God to help me. His Honour: I am going to give you a nominal sentence of five years for rape. On top of that when the woman tried to oseape you went after her and more or assaulted her again. For that I am adding another year, the sentences to be cumulative, which means six years in gaol. On top of that you escaped off the train while in custody and for that the sentence is another six months. Finally lam going to declare you an habitual criminal.

Norman: I ask you to spare me, His Honour: Take him away.