TEN YEARS' GAOL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19880, 6 March 1939, Page 4

TEN YEARS' GAOL

MANSLAUGHTER PENALTY

SENTENCE ON DAVE GRACE

DEATH OF WIFE ON COAST

JUDDK'S SERIOUS VIEW

A sentence of 10 years' imprisonment; with hard labour wag imposed on Rewi Kerehi, alias Dave Grace, by Mr. Justice Northcroft in the Supreme Court to-day. Grace had been found guilty last week of manslaughter as a result of the death of his wife at Tuparoa following injuries received early in December.

When Grace appeared for sentence to-day, Mr. A. A. Whitehead, appearing on behalf of the prisoner, said that as a young man Grace had served his country well. At the age of 18 years and in the face of an adverse medical report, Grace enlisted during the Great War, being wounded twice. As a result of his wounds, Grace had been unable to do any work since his return.

"This is one more crime that had its foundation in drink," Mr. Whitehead continued, for there could be little doubt that drink was a prominent factor. A prohibition order had been taken out against the prisoner, and a large part of the responsibility for the crime must rest on the shoulders of those who supplied the drink to the prisoner. Mr. Whitehead, therefore, asked for whatever leniency His Honour was able to extend.

His Hondur said that short of murder the offence of which the prisoner had been found guilty was the most serious the court had to deal with. From the report of the probation officer and a perusal of his record, it was quite clear that for some years the prisoner had been given to fits of violence and passion.

"It might be said that they were instigated by drink," His Honour continued, "but I do not think that in this case you did not know what you were doing. My duty for the protection of life is so great that I have to inflict a substantial sentence upon you. You will be sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour."