AN OLD MAN'S OFFENCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 30 November 1945, Page 5

AN OLD MAN'S OFFENCES

PROBATION GRANTED ON SPECIAL CONDITIONS In the Supreme Court this morning Henry Harman, aged 81, appeared before the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, for sentence on two charges of indecent assault on a young girl. For the prisoner, Mr W. V. Rout said it was obvious that old age and childishness were largely responsible for the lapse from what had hitherto been quite a good character. His Honour said he had his own ideas on the matter but he could not and would not act on his own suspicions. Mr Rout said accused’s wife was in an enfeebled condition and needed her husband to look after her. The judge suggested that it would be a good thing if both could be put into an old peoples’ home. He could not send an old man like this to prison; at the same time he did not like leaving him in the district with no one to look after him and where his offence was known. Addressing the prisoner His Honour said: “This offence is a very disgraceful one and if you were a younger man you would be sent to gaol.” The Chief Justice said the accused should not be left in his present home and in the neighbourhood of the child he had treated so badly. Accused was granted probation for four years on the following special tenms: Unless he is taken to the home of some relative prepared to undertake his care and charge, he must either become an inmate of and domain in an old peoples’ home or similar institution; or remove to and remain in some place of residence not less than eight miles from his present home.