SENTENCE ON U.S. SAILOR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 10 January 1944, Page 2

SENTENCE ON U.S. SAILOR

IMPRISONMENT AND DISCHARGE THREAT MADE WITH KNIFE Auckland, Jan. 9. The findings of a general court martial, which resulted from an incident in lower Queen Street, when an American sailor threatened an Auckland constable with a knife, have been issued by the United States Naval authoriies. The defendant was Olin Bowles, steward's mate, second-class, who was charged with striking another person in the navy with conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline and with resisting arrest. Bowles was found guilty on each charge and was sentenced to be reduced to the rating of steward’s mate, third class, to be imprisoned for tw’o years, and then to be dishonourably discharged from the service and to suffer all of other accessories of sentence. The last section of the sentence involves hard labour, the reduction of his pay to the minimum amount required for necessities, and the loss for life of his right to hold office. Evidence at the hearing showed that Bowles accosted another American sailor and a girl. An Auckland constable came to their assistance, and Bowles drew a knife. He threatened the constable with it, but the weapon was taken from him by a United States shore patrol. Bowles resisted arrest.—P.A.