Escapee From Mental Home Becomes Free In Three Months
(P.A.) Auckland, June 28. It was a peculiar law that if a patient escaped from a mental hospital and kept clear for three months, he could received his discharge, said Mr. J. H- Luxford, S.M., in the Police Court today, adding that he had often wondered at the advisibility of the law. Mr. Luxford was referring to what he described as the pathetic case of a labourer, aged 26, who was charged with stealing three watches at Helensville early in February. Accused pleaded guilty and explained that he escaped from the Auckland Mental Hospital on January 2. Travelling by night, he kept to the bush, living on fruit from orchards until he reached Helensville. While there he lived on fruit and slept in cowsheds. He marked off the days on scraps of paper and took the watches so he "wouldn’t be stuck for the time.” When he figured three months had passed, he returned to the hospital and collected his belongings and his discharge. Remarking that the man was more to be pitied than punished, Mr. Luxford discharged him under the First Offenders’ Probation Act, remarking that men in a similar position might have committed very serious thefts. He was pleased that the man before him was now feeling well.
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Wanganui Chronicle, 29 June 1948, Page 6
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219Escapee From Mental Home Becomes Free In Three Months Wanganui Chronicle, 29 June 1948, Page 6
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