DRINK NO EXCUSE FOR CRIME

Chronicle (Levin), 8 May 1947, Page 3

DRINK NO EXCUSE FOR CRIME

~ " HAMILTON, May 6. "The Maori people have many very fine qualities including courage and lcindness but drink briugs out the worst side of their nature," eommented the Hon. Mr. Justice Fair in the Supreme Court, Hamilton, when sentcncing Patrick Wynyard, aged 34, who had becn found guiltv, with a strong recommendation for mercy, of manslaughter. Before liis Honour imposed sentence, Mr. W. J. King, on behalf of prisoner, ret'erred to Wynyard 's excelient character, the fact that he was recognised as a good hard worker, that he did not drink regularly and that the jury strongly recommended mercy. "The blows you struek this little eight months old child were not i'ntended, I know, to kill the child," said his Honour to prisoner. "The child died, howrever, and you are responsible for its death. I must impose a sentence that may serve to remind the Maori people that others must be protected from the consequences of their own drinking and that drink cannot be accepted as an excuse for serious crimes of this kind. The Court haS taken into consideration your good record "and character and the fact that you are a good worker. The Court has also taken into eonsideration the recomihendation of the jury and the least sentence the Court can impose is 12 months' reformative detention. ' '