THE PRICE OF ASSAULTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10918, 28 March 1896, Page 2

THE PRICE OF ASSAULTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — A short time ago a Christchurch 'professional man was committed for trial on a charge of assaulting one of his own sex, and on conviction sentenced to a .month's imprisonment. lam far from saying or thinking that the punishment was undeserved. In your issue of yesterday, however, I read that one John Barker was charged bef or ©Messrs Douglass and Dobson, jJ.P.’s, with having assaulted a young ■woman named Isabella Smith, after first (inviting her to immoral conduct. Three (young men gav&-- evidence as to hearing this young woman's screams, and seeing her “with her faoe bleedmg and greatly distressed.” The Bench held that accused had committed a brutal assault and forthwith fined him <£2 or a month's imprisonment. Two pounds sterling will purchase the privilege of committing dastardly assaults upon women! Comment is needless. When shall we learn that offences against the person, especially against the persons of women, are as heinous (if not more so) as offences against the person's property ? When will there be an attempt at some relation between the crime and, 1 the punishment, and offencvs against the- body avenged on the body!’ Two pormds for a brutal assault en.a/woman !—I am, &c., E. A. SCOTT. Sydenham, March 27, 1896.