ASYLUM ATTENDANT SENTENCED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3907, 14 February 1929, Page 3

ASYLUM ATTENDANT SENTENCED.

TWO YEARS FOR ASSAULTING A PATIENT. Wellington, February 13. Found guilt}', with a recommendation to .mercy, on a charge of having assaulted a patient at the Porirua mental hospital, Henry Dixon Tyrer, a former attendant at tint institution, was sentenced by Mr. Justice Herdman in the Supreme Court to-day to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour, to he followed by a period of reformative detention not exceeding 12 months. Tyrer, who stood two trials in the Supreme Court (the first jury having failed, to agree) was charged with having, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, caused actual bodily harm to one of the patients and alternatively, with assault as to cause actual bodily harm and with striking, wounding or illtreating a mental defective while acting as an attendant. The jury gave a verdict of not guilty on the first count, but guilty on the second, with a recommendation to mercy. The third count was withdrawn.

His Honour said he thoroughly agreed with the verdict. “You have been convicted of an offence of gravity,” he added addressing the prL .soner, “and have committed a very brutal assault on one of those unfortunate persons whom it was your duty to protect. I shall give effect to 'the recommendation off the jury, but I have a duty to perform to the public. I shall sentence you to 12 months’ hard labour, to be followed by a period of reformative detention not exceeding twelve months.”