FLOGGING PENALTY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1930, Page 2

FLOGGING PENALTY

FOR SEXUAL OFFENDERS

AUCKLAND, May 9

A warning that men who commit indecent assaults on women and children could’be ordered floggings by the Court, in addition to‘a term of seven years’ imprisonment, was given by Justice. Herdman at the Supreme Court when-dealing with Albert Baehe who had pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a girl of ten years.

Mr Noble, for accused, said it was one of those inexplicable cases which at times came before the Courts. Baehe had been in the Army for four and a ' half years, and had been a resident in New Zealand only twelve months.

His Honour said that at all oi the criminal sessions there were always a number of cases like this one. The Judge said: “To indicate bow seriously the law regards this class of offence, there is a section in the Statutes wfuich, in addition to providing imprisonment up to seven years, allows the offender to be flogged one, two, or three times, according to his age. I don’t propose to order a flogging, hut it is just as well that men pf your class should understand the position. Women and children must be protected. You will be sentenced to imprisonment for three years 'with hard labour;

PRISONERS’ RECORDS.

A JUDGE’S COMPLAINT.

AUCKLAND, May 9

TVhen a prisoner, Harold John Windsor, was brought before Justice Tlevdman for sentence this morning, Mr Noble, in pleading for the accused. remarked that His Honour no doubt knew the family history of tlie accused.

His Honour .said he had the greatest difficulty in getting any information as to the prisoner’s previous record, if any, and it was only through the courtesy of the Crown Solicitor that it was possible for him to get any information’. Mf Noble said the accused had been in .gaol before, ‘and; other members of' the family also;' There” was not much tq. be said' for 1 the acchsed.' Perhaps,' If the Court could see its way to 'give him a short sentence, it' would bring the accused'to realise the folly of his ways.

His Honour imposed' a sentience of reformative treatment/not exceeding two vears'. ;

In connection with' the ' statement of His Honour 'that he finds it ' 'very difficult to get any information concerning the previous convictions of prisoners to be sentenced, it is understood that ’ the difficulty has only been, experienced in the past'' six months. Prior to that, reports were always supplied to the Judges, but about six months u,go, it was stated, a circular was issued from the Police Commissioner’s office, forbidding this practice, which had obtained. >

A PROBLEM OF CRIME. AUCKLAND, May 9. Having been found guilty of attempt breaking and entering, Harold John Windsor, aged 23, > appeared 'before Justice Herdman in the Sup•reme Court for sentence. •He was ordered to be detained for reformative purposes 'for a period not exceeding two years. His Honour told the (prisoner that the jury had very properly found that he had been associated with his brother and another man in attempting to break and enter. Accused was in a curious position. He had other brothers in prison at present—a number of them—and had a sister in a probation home. He himself had already been convicted of theft in Napier, and had been detained in the Borstal Institute. That did not seem to have done him any good, and now he had started again. What would happen to him if he kept on the same way His Honour did not know.