CONSTABLE SHOT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25053, 17 November 1944, Page 6

CONSTABLE SHOT

ASSAILANTS SENTENCED

PRISON TERMS IMPOSED "Fortunately, crimes of violence are rare in New Zealand," said Mr Justice Fair when sentencing prisoners yesterday. "When they do occur and are repeated it is the duty of the Court to make it clear that anyone, using or threatening others with a loaded revolver will bo sentenced to an extensive term of imprisonment." The prisoners before him were JohnLeslie Fiorance, aged 33, and Herbert Lorraine Woodham, aged 28 (Mr Brainsby). Fiorance had been iound guilty of attempted breaking and entering, of discharging a revolver at a constable with intent to disable him, and on two counts of causing actual bodily harm. Mr Jenkins appeared for Fiorance on these charges and Mr G. Skeiton for him on two further charges of unlawfully possessing explosives and unlawfully converting a car. The offences of which Woodham had been convicted wero attempted breaking and entering and three counts of causing actual bodily harm. Mr Skeiton said Fiorance had already been sentenced to four years' imprisonment and declared an habitual criminal. He asked that any further punishment should bo concurrent and not cumulative. Mr Brainsby suggested that Woodham should not bo regarded as a hardened criminal. The Prosecutor, Mr V. R. Meredith, said that offences of this kind were extremely grave, and these men had been associated with violenco in tho past. Fiorance was sentenced to six years' imprisonment with hard labour for shooting the constable, this to be concurrent with his prior sentence. On tho other charges His Honor imposed lesser terms, all concurrent. His Honor said Woodham's career was not quite so dreadful as that of Fiorance, although it was very bad. For causing bodily harm to the constable he would be sentenced to three years' imprisonment, cumulative upon his present sentence, and he would bo declared an habitual criminal.