COWARDLY ASSAULT ON A MAN OF SEVENTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7302, 5 December 1910, Page 1

COWARDLY ASSAULT ON A MAN OF SEVENTY

"A DISGRACEFULLY VIOLENT ACT." SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS WITH HARD LABOUR. Being slightly in delirium tremens was the excuse advanced by a 1 powerful man named James Jones in the Supreme Court on Saturday for having assaulted and robbed an elderly man at Stratford.

Once sentenced on inlictment to twelve months’ imprisonment and ten convictions for theft and other offences was tho record against Jones.

“Your record shows that you have had a very disreputable career,” said Mr Justice Chapman in passing sentence. • “The offffence to which yon pleaded guilty is a very serious one. I understand that tho man you attacked and robbed was a very onl one—a man. over, sevnety years of age. It was a very cowardly act. It is not necessary to say that you were drunk. I must put the two thisgs together. I find that you committed a disgracefully violent act, and, when I look at your record, I find there is a long series of crimes against you which seems to indicate that you are inclined to dishonesty and mako no effort to restrain yourself. For this kind of offence the punishment must be very severe. I cannot oiverlook it. Y'ou will be sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour.”