PRISON SENTENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1944, Page 4

PRISON SENTENCE

TERM OF SIX MONTHS IMPOSED BARRETT TRIAL CONCLUDED. ACCUSED’S CRIME VERY SERIOUS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A sentence of six months’ imprisonment on each charge, the terms to be concurrent, was imposed on Jack Barrett (64), labourer, who was found guilty in the Supreme Court on two charges of having attempted to interfere with the course of justice by approaching jurors in connection with the Radcliffe abortion trial in February. When prisoner camo up for sentence at 3. p.m., Mr. Joseph produced two medical certificdtes as to the state of his health. Counsel said it was difficult to understand why prisoner, who had led a blameless life for 24 years, should have acted as he did. He suggested that prisoner, who was a sick man, should be .punished through his pocket by the imposition of a substantial fine. “The jury have found you guilty of attempting to influence two separate jurymen, after a trial that dealt with the circumstances as searchingly and as thoroughly as possible,” said his Honour in passing sentence. “I think it is unnecessary for me to emphasise the seriousness of the charge against you. Your counsel stressed it; the Crown prosecutor stressed it; and I emphasised that it went to the foundatons of our jury system. With the jury’s verdict I entirely agree, and that verdict shows that the jury disbelieved everything you said.” His Honour said prisoner’s wife had stated that prisoner had not been w'orking for some years, and that he did not take any part in the moneylending business which she carried on. His counsel had asked that a fine should be inflicted upon him, but if this were done it would be tantamount to fining his wife. “I cannot minimise the nature of the crime,” his Honour continued. “I think it is a very serious crime to interfere with jurymen, and jurymen and the public should know that any attempt to do so will be punished. You are aged 64 and I will' take into account the jury’s recommendation to mercy on that ground. It is not a case for probation and not a case for a fine. , You will be sentenced to six months imprisonment on each charge, the terms to be concurrent.”