“DANGEROUS PRECEDENT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 273, 8 February 1928, Page 13

“DANGEROUS PRECEDENT”

PROBATION IN SEXUAL CASES OLD MAN SENT TO GAOL “If I wrere to grant you probation 1 would be introducing a precedent that might prove extremely dangerous.” Thus Mr. Justice Blair in the Supreme .Court tliis morning . when dealing with Emil Blaauw, an elderly man, who pleaded guilty'to charges of indecent exposure and indecent assault on young girls. A lengthy appeal on the prisoner’s behalf was made by Mr. L. P. Leary. He stated he was jn his 68th year, and had been a respectable citizen all his life, holding many Government positions, and had a busines of his own. Counsel asked that probation be granted. “This case lias given me great anxiety/’ said his Honour. “There is no doubt that a great many of these cases I are due to some form of senility, but this is not recognised by the law as an excuse for such acts as the prisoner has pleaded guilty to. At the time he was well aware that what he was doing was wrong, and a matter such as this touches the question of the morals of the_ community. I will impose a shor* sentence. You will be detained for reformative purposes for twelve months.”