IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 14

IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE.

ATTEMPTED MURDER CASE. SENTENCE PASSED ON YOUTH SHOT BROTHER WITH RIFLE. MAXIMUM PENALTY IMPOSED. [BV TELEGIIAI'H. —OWN OOHREsI'nNDK.NT. I OAMARU, Wednesday. The maximum sentence allowed by law Was imposed upon Allan Symon, aged 17, who appeared in the Supreme Court at Oamaru to-day on a charge of attempting to murder his brother, Herbert Symon. Tho circumstances of the case were that the accused was endeavouring to take a stick from a lad in tho street, when his brother interposed and pulled him away. Allan .Symon went to a shed and procured a rille. He then jumped a fence /into a neighbour's yard, and levelled the rifle at his brother and fired. The bullet passed through the neck of Herbert Symon, but did not inflict serious injury. .When the accused was committed for trial he was sent to tho Seacliff Mental Hospital. To-day he pleaded guilty to attempted murder, doing grievous bodily injury and assault.

Counsel for accused suggested that ho be committed to the Borstal institution for a period, so that ho might be disciplined.

A report was sent from the medical officer at Seacliff stating that the accused was not of strong mentality, but was not a fit subject for a mental hospital. The report suggested that he bo sent to the Borstal institute, from where he could be committed to the mental hospital, should his condition at any time render it necessary.

Mr. Justice Sim said Jie would not take tho responsibility,of sending accused to the Borstal institute, as the maximum period he could be confined there was five years. At the end of this time the accused might come out and shoot others. Tho maximum penalty allowed by law would be imposed. Tho Governor-in-Council was empowered to transfer the accused from gaol to tho Borstal institute at any time, as he was under 21 years of age. The accused would be sentenced to imprisonment for life with hard labour.

The .sentence was taken very coolly by the accused, who lighted a cigarette and commenced smoking as soon as he left the precincts of the Court.