PRISONERS SENTENCED.

Grey River Argus, 2 March 1927, Page 2

PRISONERS SENTENCED.

AT SUPREME COURT. SEVEN YEARS FOR INCES'.. Two prisoners appeared for sentence before His Honour, Mr Justice Adams, at the Supreme Court yesterday morning. “MOST REVOLTING CASE.” This is one of the most revolting eases that has ever been before the Court on the Coast, ’’ declared the Crown Prosecutor, Mr F. A. Kitchingham, in commenting upon the ease in which William Todd had pleaded guilty to three charges of incest. The offences began when his daughter was only eleven years of ago.” His Honour: It appears to be a history of drink.

The Crown Prosecutor: “Of drink and lazy habits. He deserted his wife and family on two occasions, leaving them destitute. It appears that he was committing incest with his daughter even while his wife was m the house.'*’ “This is the worst ease of incest which I have hail the misfortune to have to deal with” observed His Honour, “and I have no alternative but to inflict an exemplary punishment. It appears that the offender—over a period of four years —frequently committed incest with a young child who, at the commencement of that period, was only 11 years of ago. The maximum sentence is 10 years. The sentence will be seven years ’ hard labour. ’ ’

The prisoner (breathlessly): “Can I—ean I speak for a minute?” The Senior Sergeant: “Come on!” And the prisoner was led out. THEFT AND ESCAPE FROM CUSTODY.

“I was suffering from “D.T’s” when I wandered from the gaol,” said James Mcllroy, in extenuation of having escaped from gaol. He had also been convicted of stealing a watch.

“The Sergeant will tell you that he had to get a doctor for me when they got mo back to the gaol. ’ ’ Mr Kitchingham said the prisoner had had a good record until October or November last, but since then he had a troublous career. He had been admitted to probation for theft at Dunedin and later sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment for a breach of the order at Westport. He was later convicted of vagranev and subsequently committed the offences referred to in the present ease. There was nothing to show that that ho had not been sober when he committed the latter offence.

His Honour: The prisoner will bo sentenced to four months imprisonment for theft and two months for escaping from custody, the sentences to be cumulative. ’ ’