PLEA REVERSED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23280, 16 August 1945, Page 4

PLEA REVERSED

Charge Met By Fine Of £2O (N.Z.P.A.) GISBORNE, Aug. 15. Reversing his plea during the trial on a charge of causing bodily harm in circumstanes in which, if death had resulted, he would have been guilay of manslaughter, Peter Ngaera was fined £2O by Mr Justice Finlay in the Supreme Court. The charge arose from an accident at the Kaiti freezing works in June, when a humane killer used for stunning cattle was discharged in such a manner that severe head injuries were inflicted on one of the accused's w'orkmaets. It was stated that the victim was now almost fully recivered from his injuries. When counsel fodr the defence opened the case, Mi- Justice Finlay pointed out that he had admitted facts which proved the offence with which Ngaera was charged. It was clear that there was no criminal intent., but it could not be gainsaid that the accused had been in charge of a dangeroune weapon, and that he had handled it with less than proper care, which was his responsibility. At the Judge's suggestion, counsel conferred with the accused and announced the withdrawalof the plea of not guilty and the substltion of a plea of guilty.