SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1939, Page 4

SUPREME COURT

SIM VP FOB SENTENCE.

(Per Press Association.—Copyright).

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 8. Appearing for Arthur Norton Sim, cf Ashburton, who came before Judge Northcroft in the Supreme Court today for sentence, on a charge of assault and causing bodily harm. Mr Thomas admitted that Sim’s attack on an 11 months’ old baby was a .shocking , crime. Sim placed his finger downy me mild s tin cat and m a statement y produced in the Lower Court, he said he did not wish to kill the child but to injure it so that it would die. Qn the prisoner’s behalf, Mr Thomas said that in a motor accident in December, 1935, lie suffered severe head injuries and for some three weeks after, he was quit© - irrational. Since theft he was mentally less stable than before.

Medical evidence showed that he was not quite normal. “He was married in May last,” said Mr Thomas and afterwards his friends told him-lie was -the mug. The question of the paternity of the child apparently peeved on his mind, his. friends being more’than will- , ing to discuss it with him. It became an obsession. He had had-some-liquor 1 and after discussing the question -with some friends and arriving- home, committed a shocking ass'uilttom the child.

AVhilc accepting evidence of his pro-':' vioiis good conduct,-the Judge said iti:4 was the Court’s duty to protect thosoi i in close contact wit If .the prisoner from what, seemed on this occasion, to be. a homicidal tendency.' In sentencing-;Sim to 18 months’ reformative , detention,' . the Judge said during that period Sim could be kept under observation, and if his mental state were not restored to normal, appropriate stops could bo taken.