SAVAGE ASSAULT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 48, 1 March 1946, Page 5

SAVAGE ASSAULT

•f. TWO MAORIS CHARGED

MAXIMUM SENTENCE PASSED Facing a charge of assault, Wehi Taylor and Jimmy Pinikera, two Maoris, both of Te Teko, appeared before the Whakatane Court on Tuesday morning. Judge Harvey, Native Land Court, and Mr G. A. Brabant J.P.S, were on the Bench. Both

accused pleaded guilty. Sergeant Farrell stated that at 5 p.m. on February 19 at Te Teko, residents heard loud screams coming from the rear of the picture theatre. Investigations were made, and it was found that the two accused had dragged an imbecile youth, into a convenience behind the building and were assaulting him. When they were discovered, the victim who was perfectly harmless had already been seriously knocked about, and showed large bruises on the throat. Complaints had been received by the police previously concerning the two accused from residents of Te Teko, who regarded them as a nuisance. Stolen property from recent thefts in that district had been found in their possession. Taylor had previously been before the court on a serious charge of assault. The case was one, in fact, for exemplary punishment, as trie assault in question was a savage and unprovoked one. Commenting on the fact that the Bench regarded the case in a very serious light, Judge Harvey sentenced both accused to two months hard labour in the Mt. Eden*gaol.