EXEMPLARY SENTENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10286, 22 May 1919, Page 4

EXEMPLARY SENTENCE

SEXUAL OFFENCES AND POSSIBILITY OF FLOGGING.

Press Association.

AUCKLAND, May 21. An exemplary sentence of five year*’ imprisonment was imposed this morning on John Davies, who was charged, at the Supreme Court,; before ■Mr Justice Stringer, with committing an indecent assault upon a little girl aged eight years and a half.

“You have been convicted of a very serious offence, committed with deliberation,’' said His Honour iif. passing sentence. “It is deplorable that little children should he liable to maltreatment by men of your stamp. The frequency of such cases, especially in this district, leads me to think, that judges should take 'into: serious con- - sideration whether they should" not take advantage of the powers they possess and administer, in addition to imprisonment, the punishment of flogging. Judges axe naturally reluctant to impose such brutalising punishment, but if it is not possible for children to travel along the public road in safety, - something must be done to deter such men as you. I do not intend to order flogging in your case; I, merely, throw-- • out the a-livvarning;,i :ri -

When you committed the offence you may have been to some extent under the influence of liquor, but evidence shows premeditation. I should not be justified in sentencing you to other than a long term of imprisonment, which will, at any rate, free the roads of you. The sentence of the court is that you be imprisoned for five years.” ;