ASSAULTED FATHER

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1935, Page 7

ASSAULTED FATHER

RELEASE FROM GAOL ALLOWED. WARM WELCOME IN HOME TOWNJack Howe, the 26-year-old piecer, Rhodes, near Manchester, who was sentenced at Manchester Assizes to nine months for assaulting his father with intent to do grievous bodily harm, has returned home a free man, says the Daily Telegraph. His release was announced m the following statement from the Home Office: "In the case of Jack Howe the Home Secretary, after consulting the judge and with his entire approval, has decided to advise His Majesty, as an act of pure clemency, to remit the remainder of the sentence of three months’ imprisonment." Howe heard of his release while the prisoners in Strangeways Gaol were at their midday meal. The governor of the prison sent word by a warder that he wished to speak to him. Howe went to the governor’s office and a few moments later returned to finish his meal a free man. Shortly afterwards ho stepped out of prison. His first thought was to get home, where the father whom he had attacked and his mother were anxiously hoping that within the next fortnight he would Howe caught a bus to Middleton and was walking up Boardman Lane to his homo when, to his astonishment, he was greeted by a remarkable demonstration of affection by the people of Rhodes. Men and women who have known him from childhood ran out into the street to shake his hand or waved enthusiastically from doors and windows. His mother, an elderly, white-haired woman, was washing clothes when she heard a step on the path and looking up saw a man walk into the kitchem “I had no idea who he was until I went in to see,” she said. "Then I saw it was Jack." . . The father walked across to his son, stretched out his hand and said: "Hello, Jack, glad to see you back." He left shortly afterwards for ms fiancee's home. Miss Lovatt was working at a local mill when the news was brought to her. They spent the evening together, and escaped the crowds which surrounded Howe’s home to congratulate Howe’s place had been kept open for him at the Soudan Mill, and he has begun duty again. At the trial Mr. A. E. Jalland, the pro’ secuting counsel, said Howe’s father acted with violence when in drink. Howe went to protect his sister and received a blow intended for her. He thereupon struck his father with a mallet