PRISON FOR ARSON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 41, 19 February 1943, Page 3

PRISON FOR ARSON

LABOURER SENTENCED JURY’S RECOMMENDATION “This is a very serious charge. Not only did you destroy property, but you might have caused people to lose their lives. It cannot be regarded as anything other than serious, but my problem is what to do with you and give proper weight to the jury’s recommendation,” said Mr. Justice Smith, in the Supreme Court, Wanganui, yesterday, when sentencing Norman Charles Williams, labourer, aged 56, to nine months’ imprisonment, with hard labour, for arson. Earlier in the week a jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy. Prisoner, for whom Mr. H. M. Keesing appeared, was charged with wilfully setting lire to a dwelling at 12 Nixon Street. Wanganui East.

“I am aware that prisoner has a list of previous convictions, but in a case of this kind one is inclined to look for a reason,” said Mr. Keesing, who added that all his life prisoner had been up against difficulties. He was gassed while serving in the war of 1914-18 and it was impossible to say what effect this might have had on his constitution. In addition, he had never had a home. During ’rheoast 22 years his wife had not left the home of her mother. Because ol manv difficulties he had taken tc drink.

His Honour: He has all classes of convictions, you know.

Counsel: A man who has lived the life he has. and who has drunk to the extent he has, is liable to do anything.

Senaration proceedings were pending and when released prisoner would leave Wanganui, said counsel, who submitted also that the offence was committed while prisoner was in a drunken state.

“I assume tha*. the basis of the jury’s recommendation to mercy was because of your drunken state Which led you to do this act,” said His Honour, sentencing prisoner. “It is, I think, a mitigating circumstance. A man in his normal condition would not have done it.”

The jury may have thought also that prisoner’s drinking was due to the conditions at home, but, on the other hand, prisoner’s mother-in-law. and even his own children, as well as neighbours, took a clear view as to who was responsible for the unhapniness in the home and attributed the cause to prisoner, said His Honour, who added that prisoner had a long list of previous convictions.