“ You Would be Better Dead,” Says Judge
FLOGGING ORDERED, PLUS SEVEN YEARS’ GAOL Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. “Such creatures as you are not fit to be at liberty. In fact you would be, in my opinion, better dead,” said Mr. Justice Blair in the Supremo Court to-day, when sentencing Leslie Eric Towns on a charge of indecent assault on a female. “The maximum sentence that I can give you on this charge is seven years’ imprisonment and that you will get, but the only way to get at creatures like you is through their hides. Therefore I order you to receive a flogging of ten lashes. ‘ ‘ This is easily the very worst case that has ever come before me, aud I have heard some pretty shocking cases,” continued his Honour. “It is easily the most appalling case that I have heard of in the twelve years that I have been on the Bench. To use such shocking violence towards a child of only three, you are lucky not to be brought up on a more serious charge of attempted rape.”
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19390513.2.27
Bibliographic details
Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 4
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182“ You Would be Better Dead,” Says Judge Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 4
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