GAOL SENTENCE FOR OFFICER OF MENTAL HOSPITAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18684, 13 February 1929, Page 4

GAOL SENTENCE FOR OFFICER OF MENTAL HOSPITAL

VERDICT OF GUILTY ON ASSAULT CHARGE.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 12. Found guilty, with a recommendation to mercy, on a charge of having assaulted a patient at the Porirua Mental Hospital, Henry Dixon Tyrer, a former attendant at the institution, was sentenced by Mr Justice Herdman in the Supreme Court to-day to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labour, to be followed by a period of reformative detention not exceeding twelve months. Tyrer, who stood two trials in the Supreme Court (the first jury having failed to agree), was charged with having with intent to do grievous bodily harm caused actual bodily harm to one of the patients, and alternatively with assault so as to cause actual bodily harm, with striking, wounding or ill treating a mental defective while acting as an attendant. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the first count, but guilty on the second, with a recommendation to mercy. The third count was withdrawn. His Honor said he thoroughly agreed with the verdict. “You have been convicted of an offence of gravity,” he added, addressing the prisoner, “and have committed a very brutal assault on one of those unfortunate persons whom it was your duty to protect. I shall give effect to the recommendation of the jury, but I have a duty to perform to the public. I shall sentence you to twelve months’ hard labour, to be followed by a period of reformative detention not exceeding twelve months.”