THE WITTING CASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20965, 3 March 1930, Page 8

THE WITTING CASE

A MINISTER INTERESTED. FURTHER ACTION POSSIBLE. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, March 2, (Received March 2, at 5.5 p.m.) The Minister,of Justice (Mr Lee) is interesting himself in the case of Roy Witting, who was recently recaptured here and returned to New Zealand, where he was sent hack to prison for gaolbreakiug. Mr Lee states that Witling's wife is heartbroken. He lias promised to call for a report from the police concerning Witting, and upon the nature of this will depend whether he will make representations to the Dominion Government.

Roy Raymond Witting, aged 25, the carrier who was recaptured in Sydney recently, was sentenced at Christchurch to three years’ reformative detention by Mr Justice Adams on a charge of escaping from Paparoa prison on April 18, 1927. Counsel pointed out that the original sentence of three years on which the prisoner was sentenced for breaking, entering, and theft expired at midnight on February 20. Hi s Honor said it would be a most mischievous example if the prisoner were dealt with in a wily which put a premium on escape.