FIFTEEN STROKES OF ‘CAT

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1934, Page 7

FIFTEEN STROKES OF ‘CAT

OFFENCES AGAINST GIRLS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ORDERED. WELLINGTON COURT SENTENCES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Feb. 7John Phillips Crampton Collet, convicted of rape of a girl aged 41, and indecent assault of a girl aged. 8, was sentenced by the Chief Judge (Sir Michael Myers) to seven years’ hard labour and fifteen strokes of the “cat” on’the first charge, and three years’ hard labour on the second, sentences, to be concurrent. His Honour said that, abhorrent as the idea of corporal punishment was to him, he had been convinced on reading the depositions that Collett was deserving of such punishment. However, he had taken the precaution of procuring a medical report and this showed there was no grounds why the punishment which he thought necessary should not be inflicted. Ronald Edward Morrison, for breaking and entering at Nelson, was sentenced to 18 months’ reformative detention. His Honour remarked that Morrison was fast ■qualifying as an habitual- criminal, and if he came before the court again he was certain io be so declared. John McCarthy, for breaking, entering and theft at Palmerston North, received 18 months’ hard labour. Benjamin Kirkbride, for assault, causing actual bodily harm, was admitted to one year’s probation, and was ordered to pay £22 6s towards the cost of the prosecution within six months.