A SERIOUS OFFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17631, 22 May 1919, Page 5

A SERIOUS OFFENCE

five years' imprisonment Imposed. .'.-.- a judge's suggestions. ■ (Pβ* UIUTXD PsKSS ASSOOLMIOK.I ■ AUCKLAND, May ZL Tho exemplary sentence of five yeanr , "■ - ; imprisonment was imposed this morning on J ohn Davies, who was charged at the ' Supremo Court, before Mr Justice Stringer, ' with committing- an indecent assault upon a. :, little girl aged eight years and a-hall. "You have been convicted of a very serious offence, committed with deliberation," said his Honor in passing sentence. "It is ■ deplorable that little children should be liable to maltreatment bv men of your ■■-■ stamp. The frequency of such cases, especi- : ally in this district, leads me to think that judges should take into serious consideration whether they should not take advant- ■ age of the powers they possess and administer, in addition to imDrißonment, the punishment of flogging. Judges aro naturally reluctant to impose such a brutalising pun--iahment, but if it is not possible for children, to travel along a public road in safety something , must be done to deter such men as you. I do not intend to order flogging , .". in your case. I merely throw out the suggestion as a warning. When you committed' the offence you may have been to some extent under the influence of liquor, but the evidence shows premeditation. I should not be justified in 'sentencing you to other than, a long term of imprisonment, which will at any rate free the roads of you. The sentence of the court is that you be im- . prisoned for five years."