SENTENCE ON MAN FOR MANSLAUGHTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 264, 8 November 1945, Page 5

SENTENCE ON MAN FOR MANSLAUGHTER

FIVE YEARS’ DETENTION DEATH OF MARRIED WOMAN (P.A.) Hamilton. Nov. 7. Sentence of five years’ reformative detention was imnosed to-day in the Supreme Court at Hamilton by Mr. Justice Fair, on Keith Bennett, aged 26, motor driver, ex-serviceman, of Te Kuiti. who. earl’dr in the session, was found guilty of manslaughter, the charge arising out of the death of Lois Ynres Fitzgerald, married, aged 25. at Te Kuiti, on July 22. Before sentence was announced evidence was heard as to Bonnett's war service and conduct. Lieut. Michael K. Hannan, of Tauwhare, a former sergeant of the soot ion in which Bennett v’erved w'th the New Zealand Exneditionarv Force in North Africa, and later serving together in the same battalion in Italv, said Bennett was a very fine soldier in the two years thov wore together. Tn imposing sentence. His Honour said the deliberate taking of life in revenge, or under the influence of jealousy or nassion. was r very grave crimp. Full weight had been flven to the good character formerly borne bv Bonnett, and to his war service. The least sentence for the offence of which Bennett had been found guilty was five years’ reformative detention, and that y.-ould bo the penalty Imposed in the present case.