WAIRARAPA HOUSE-WRECKING

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 33, 8 February 1913, Page 5

WAIRARAPA HOUSE-WRECKING

ALBERT UDY'S OFFENCE. SENTENCE DEFERRED ON CERTAIN CONDITIONS. Albert John Udy, found guilty this week of blowing up a house at Waihakeke, pear Carterton, was brought before his Honour Mr. Justice Chapman at the Supreme Court for sentence last night. Mr. A. T. Maginnity had previously spoken on behalf of prisoner. Addressing prisoner, His Honour said that he had given very careful attention to the matters urged by counsel, and to the whole of the circumstances of this exceptional case. "I have had very great difficulty in coming to a conclusion, but, in all the circumstances, I do not consider that it is necessary at present to pass sentence on you. That does not mean that a sentence will not be passed, but not at present. Your crime was one fraught with the very greatest danger, and it was v wicked and spiteful crime. I do not know what your motive was, but I accept the evidence of those witnesses, who stated that your moral sense was clouded by liquor, and that your mind was not correctly balanced at the time of the ofi'ence. The reason that I do not consider that a sentence of imprisonment is necessary is that this crime is so rare—so unheard of —that an example to others is not necessary. At all events such a crime is not likely to occur in that district again." Prisoner took care that no injury should be done to human life, and he also removed the horso to a place of safety. That showed that he had some glimmering of proper feelings. His Honour would give prisoner the opportunity to become a proper citizen, but upon severe Conditions, and with the liability of being brought up for sentence at any moment if his conduct were not all that it should be. If it were reported that he was misconducting himself in any way, he would receive very short shrift. His Honour ordered Udy to come up for sentence when called upon, on condition that he presented himself at the Supreme Court on 4th August next, to be sentenced if the Court thinks fit. If not sentenced he would still be liable for sentence at a future date. No order was made as to the costs of the prosecution, but prisoner was expected to pay the sum of £32 13s 7d to the police at Carterton before 4th August. He would also need to obtain a report from the police as to his conduct, and from Dr. M'Carthy as to his continued sobriety. "Do you understand," His Honour asked, "that this is what your counsel asked V' Prisoner : Yes. His Honour : Do you intend to comply with the conditions/ Prisoner assented.. His Honour : Very well.