PHILTHY PHILLIPS.

NZ Truth, Issue 76, 1 December 1906, Page 3

PHILTHY PHILLIPS.

An Unnatural Monster Caged. Whatever may be the reason, whether it's m the air or m the soil, or m the blood, there is no gainsaying the fact that, for its size, New Zealand has its full quota of sexual maniacs. Unfortunately the recent Supreme Court calendars show no diminution m this foiil state of affairs with this colony. At the Auckland sittings, although the list of prisoners to stand their trial was so much smaller than at the same sittings the previous year as to. warrant the Judge's congratulations thereon, still, the proportion of prisoners for sexual offences was alarming. But perhaps the worst of these cases, all bad as they were, was that of a human pervert named George Phillips. This reptile m human form, past middle are, found himself m the dock charged with two offences of the most horrible kind, m comparison with which even a charge of rape nales. Phillips was indicted with havintr I COMMITTED NAMELESS OFFENCES on two small boys. In the .first case, the little chap whom he had so terribly wronged, gave ,his .evidence clearly. and was followed into the wit-ness-box by another little chap. The second little chap was, however, a few sizes larger than the first, and being by name one James Ross, by, profession a . boxer, and by status light-weight champion of New Zealand, his evidence was interesting. James, who lived a*'' Ik same boardin house where the delectable Phillips at one time resided, stated lioav, whilst lying m bed one morning his suspicions were aroused by hearing som'etb-n-*.. m the next room. Jimnr arose fo iuwith and. steppine; to the door of the se<uient chamber to hit own ec-v.ed m and Haw Phillips and the \.pr there. Whereupon the put, ir h's very righteous indignation, dash ed upon the man and belabored him h. fittin- fashion. It was a one-sided fo, but -formed a useful preliminar to the Rpss-Gn*t WiJl'nnis Oght %vh ; c! '•n O \i nlace O n the evenincr of the same day. After Uoks .had /misted wit I him, Phillips was handed over tor THE SAFE CUSTODY of Detective McMahon. He complain ed to the 'tec that he had mereh been skylarking with the Boy uhti* Ross rushed into his bedroom anu nearly kilk'd him, and he didn't know why. Called upon m Court to cxi plain his conduct Phillips refused to "ive evidence, but airily told the jun (the boy hadn't been properly trained and he (Phillips) was doing his Best to bring him up. in the way he should [tjo. Apparently the judge and jury ithouj'hi the same trouble existed with Phillips himself, for, the jury havinr ! found him guilty. Judge Edwards or- ! dained that for the period of ten years the State should .look after Philthy Phillips', welfare. The second charge, that of committing an unnatural offence on a boy of 13 years, was then proceeded with. The lad said Phillips came up to him on the wharf and invited him to tea. He , went and -after tea they journeyed to 1 .a ftxardinghou|e together. Phillips' there "made suggestions" to him and assaulted him as described. He kicked but accused held him until footsteps were heard approaching their room.. Phillips, again refused a polite invitation to step into, the witnessbox, but denied the charge. He was found guilty and sentenced to seven years' hard labor, the sentence to run concurrent with the first one.