LAD’S STRANGE ACT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1929, Page 8

LAD’S STRANGE ACT

ASSAULT ON GIRL. CHRISTCHURCH, June 22. A sentence of tlirbe years’ detention in the Borstal Institute was imposed on Ernest Wade in the Supreme Court yesterday by his honour Mr Justice Smith. Wade, who was represented by Mr R. Twyneham, appeared for sentence on a charge of at Timaru, on Jnue -ith, 1929, with intent to do grevious bodily harm, he did actual bodily harm to a girl. Mr A. W. Brown appeared for th Crown. Mr Twyneham said that the prisone. was 19 years of age and had two prc\ ous convictions for thefts, lie had oeen admitted to probation on one charge for two years, and the term expired in January, 1929 The present oii'ence was a curious one and was committed without rliyr-.e or reason. He simply picked up a piece of no. pipe and hit the girl with it thn times. Then he threw the implement away and ran away himself, ihei. was no question of any improper siig gestion or any attempt i ; further to the girl. It was obviously a case of mental trouble. Founeei years ago Wade bad fallen over a oh 40 or oO feet high. After that In carried on at school and readied Hi fifth Standard. But since leavin. school he had acted in a peculiar manner at his work. For two or three days he would abandon his work and refuse to do any more. He could never give any reason for Iris action, l’wicon the day of the offence Tils mother found him locked in a box, and the lad could not explain why he locked himself in. If was suggested that lu-' should he sent to the Borstal Institute instead of gaol. When the poln taxed him with the offence he win quite unable to explain why lie had hit the girl. Mr Brown said that it was obvious that there was something wijong with the lad mentally. His Honour said that the prisoner's act was cowardly and dastardly in the extreme and il was difficult to believe that he was responsible for bis action. His Hon mr would follow the sugges Lions of the prisoner’s own counsel aud the Probation Officer, and sentence him to he detained in the Borstal Institute for three years.