MENTAL OR PHYSICAL?

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 165, 3 October 1927, Page 16

MENTAL OR PHYSICAL?

OPERATION TO DECIDE PRISONER COLLAPSES IN COURT Having been found guilty at the May criminal sessions of an indecent assault on a male, John. McDonald appeared before Mr. Justice Stringer to-day for sentence. Prisoner was not sentenced in May, as his case was adjourned to enable him to be medically examined. Mr. R. A. Singer said he realised that the case was a difficult one, but he pointed out that prisoner had been in custody for six months, and since then he had greatly improved. Hc> was 56 years of age and had borne an unblemished character. 1-lis business, that of a tailor, had always been well conducted. He had been under the observation of three medical men and they were unanimous in their views that treatment would cure him. The prisoner had only been found guilty of the assault and not the major charge. Medical evidence was called to show that the prisoner’s condition was physical more than mental. At the close of this evidence *:he prisoner collapsed and had to be removed from the court. His Honour said that prisoner needed attention. He would adjourn the case for two weeks, the prisoner, in the meantime, to obtain substantial surety. He would then be ordered to come up for sentence in six months.