SYMON MURDER CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1927, Page 3

SYMON MURDER CASE

J EDGE’S COMMENT ON LIFE SENTENCE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association. OAMARU, Sept. 7. About three months ago, a young man, Allan Symon, was charged by the police with attempted murder of bis brother, Herbert. The facts in the Lower Court were that Allan Symon had been annoyed by a small boy while gardening and hud been prevented by his brother from chastising the boy. Later he had shot his brother in the nock with a pea rifle. Since lie was committed for trial ho has 'been, in the Mental Hospital. Symon appeared before Justice Sim at the Supreme Court this morning and pleaded guilty. The Superintendent of tlic Mental Hospital reported the prisoner was not of very high intelligence, and recommended a term of reformative detention to instil discipline. In imposing sentence, His Honour said he would not take the responsibility of imposing reformative detention. with the possibility that the prisoner would, after his release, shoot someone else Ho was a danger to society. His Honour thought the best course was to impose the maximum penalty and the Prisons Board could review it and if noecssarv, send the prisoner to tho Borstal. The sentence would be imprisonment with hard labour for life.