A HUMAN BRUTE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12145, 12 November 1908, Page 5

A HUMAN BRUTE.

MURDEROUS ASSAULT ON A

CONSTABLE

ASSAILANT CHARGED WITH AT-

TEMPTED MURDER

SENTENCED TO TWENTY YEARS

IMPRISONMENT,

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 11. At tho Supreme Court to-day, before Mr Justice Edwards, William Richard McLean, alias Murphy, alias Wm. Loft, i\ tall swarthy powerfully built man about 30 years of age, was placed upon his trial'on a charge of attempted murder and using obsceno language. In outlining the case for the prosecution, Mr Tole explained that on tho 30th July the prisoner was travelling between Toawamutu and Taumaranui, that the district was a prohibition district and no one was allowed to bring in liquoi excepjb for private use, and then had to be properly labelled. Constable Maber was on the platform and saw the prisoner get off the train. The Constable asked prisoner what..; he had in his parcej. Subsequently prisoner and the Constable got a little further down tho road when prisoner murderI ously assaulted him, trying *to tear his flesh, to dislocate his jaw, 'to gousrh his eyes out, and to drown him, in addition to which he kicked him and belaboured him with a heavy pieca of timber. From tho evidence it was clear that had not several persons come alon.i at the opportuno moment prisoner's expressed intention, of torturing the Constable to death would bavo been earned into effect. As it was the Constable received very serious injuries. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on all counts. His Honour said prisoner had previously been convicted of robbery with violence and for breaking and entering. It was evident he had intended to murder the constable, and had nea.-lv succeeded in doing so. Prisoner would b© sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment. "What?" said tho prisoner, "twenty years?" Then cursing all and sundry he made a desperate attempt to escape from the court, dealing sledge hammer blows at v tho police who intercepted him. It "tTfolc fifteen constables ts overpower the prisoner, who. vowing to have his revenge, was carried still struggling to the cells.