MEN "WHO IMAGINE THINGS."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1043, 4 February 1911, Page 13

MEN "WHO IMAGINE THINGS."

4 ARE THEY DANGEROUS ? (By Telegraph—l'ress Association.) . . Ouncriin, February 3. John' Seymour (54) ; was sent up from. Invcrcirgiil for sentence nt the Supreme Court, Dunedin, on a charge of assault, causing actual bodily harm, on December 31. ! ' It was stated in evidence that Walter Trice, labourer, when on his way to W'inton; walked into a hut at Oreti, and there found Seymour in occupation of one bunk. Trice proceeded to tako possession of another bunk, and Seymour ordered him out. Trice replied that he had as much right there as Seymour, and Seymour then went out of tho room, and returned in a state of , frenzy, and struck Trice on tho head witli 'an iron bar. Subsequently Seymour expressed regret at tho action, and washed Trice's wounds. In Court to-day he stated that lie would plead guilty to assault under provocation and attempted robbery, in the hopo that he would be dealt with at once, so that, if acquitted, he could go to a job. Mr. J. F. M. Fraser (Crown Prosecutor) said that accused had been arrested at Mataura some time ago on a charge of beinn; of unsound uiincl, but, after being under observation in Gore Hospital, he had been discharged. Ho "'imagined things. 51 There was no question of robbery, and ho was under the impression that he had been provoked by being kicked in the groin, "If," continued Mr. Fraser, "your Honour will read his statement, you will see that it is impossible to conceive of a more dangerous man." . His Honour: His act seems to have been the result of impulse—the outcome of some slight provocation, which lie made more of than he ought". The important thing. I think, is that.tlio man, should be under observation.

Mr. Fraser: Vcs. The man is practically given to homicidal impulse. His Honour: Has ho been medically examined ? Mr. Fraser: Mr. J. 0. Scanlon, gaol surgeon, has seen him frequently, and reports him normal. His Honour: I do not think that accused ought'to bo admitted to probation. It is evidently desirable that he should be under supervision for some time, nt any rate. His Honour concluded by sentencing Seymour to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.