GAOL FOR WARDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1924, Page 5

GAOL FOR WARDER.

MENTAL HOSPITAL INCIDENT. OLD MAN ASSAULTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Sept. 19. ■For assaulting an inmate of the mental hospital an attendant, George Douglas Haigh, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment. The man assaulted was 74 years of age. He had made a complaint against accused, alleging that the latter had struck him. Evidence was given by another patient and an attendant that the accused had struck complainant, hitting the latter on the face with his hand. An examination showed that the complainant had an abrasion over the right elbow, a black eye’, and two bruises over the right buttock.

Defendant’s counsel said accused was only 20 and had no experience or training for the important work. He had 50 patients to watch. The nature of the work made him fairly nervous. If proper inquiry had been made accused, who had a criminal record, would never have been employed. He had simply shaken the old man by the coat. Mr. Poynton, S.M., said the offence

was a serious one and could not be overlooked. Chief Detective Cummings said accused, when engaged, did not give his correct name.