MAN GIVEN A CHANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21859, 23 July 1934, Page 7

MAN GIVEN A CHANCE

STRANGE HALLUCINATIONS ; THEFT OF A MOTOR-CAR * Appealing for leniency for George Henry Brien, aged 26 years, motor driver, Willis Street, Malvern, who,"; before Judge Foster, in a Melbourne Court recently, pleaded guilty to having stolen a motor-car) which he had taken to Queensland and sold, Mr. Gorman, K.G., said accused's action t was due to an epileptoid condition. Accused suffered from and he frequently had related vivid accounts of imaginary exploits. At the age of 14, said counsel, accused had received a kick on the head by a horse, as a result of which his, skull was injured. Prior to that time accused was very bright and an out-> standing scholar, but he afterwards was definitely sub-normal. Several doctors had said the only thing that could be done to him was an operation, which they did not advise. Accused had, however, never shown any criin- : inal tendencies. The day before accused took the car and went to Queensland Vith his wife he telephoned his father and announced that he was going to Queensland, where he intended to commence business as a carrier in a grand style. Accused was employed by his father, who was a contractor, at a wage of £4 a week, but had said he was confident he could make £IOO a week if he took on the other work. Since he was brought back from Queensland restitution had been made to all concerned. 4

In imposing a sentence of twelve months' imprisonment, the Judge said there might be some explanation of accused's abnormal conduct and it was proposed to give liim a chance. The sentence was suspended upon accused entering into a bond of £lO to be of good behaviour for two years, and accused's father undertaking to ensure that accused underwent medical treatment. ' : •