SOCIAL OFFENCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23002, 1 April 1938, Page 12

SOCIAL OFFENCES

PENALTIES IMPOSED SUPREME COURT SENTENCES Among prisoners who came before Mr. Justice Fair in the Supreme Court yesterday for sentence were two who had pleaded guilty to charges of incest or attempted incest. Against Allan David Leathart, labourer, aged 33, there were two charges of indecent assault on a female, as well as two of attempted incest. Mr. Aekins, on his behalf, said that unfortunately: ihe prisoner was not able to five any reason for itheso acts. He had een a gopd son and a good husband, and it could only bo assumed that he had some mental weakness.

IJis Hpnor said there was not the slightest evidence of* that. . Mr. S. R. Meredith, for the Crown, said the prisoner's mental condition had been examined by Dr. Gordon, who said ho betrayed no evidence of mental instability. v His Honor said the four offences had beon committed against the prisoner's own eight-year-old daughter. The sugfestion that prisoner's mental condition ad been affected was negatived by Dr. Gordon's examination. The acts were evidently, due to lack of self-control and self respect and ordinary decent feeling. He must be sentenced to a term of two years' imprisonment with hard Jabour. Committed for sentence from Kawakawa, Lewis Hau, aged 19, had admitted a charge of incest. His Honor said the probation officer gave prisoner a good character and recommended probation, but His Honor found it impossible to accept and act lupen the recommendation, Tne prisoner jknew that he was doing wrong and had repeated the offences on more than ono (Occasion. The least sentence he could impose would be one of six months' j reformative detention.