EXEMPLARY PUNISHMENT

Taihape Daily Times, 22 May 1919, Page 5

EXEMPLARY PUNISHMENT

AUCKLAND, May 2]

The exemplary sentence of five years 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 8i years.

"You have been convicted of a very serious offence, committed with deliberation" said His Honour in passing sentence. "It is deplorable that little children should be 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 consideration whether' they shall not- take advantage of the powers they possess and administer in addition to imprisonment the punishment: of flogging Judges are naturally reluctant to impose such brutalising punishment, but if it is not possible i'o r children to travel along public roads in safety, something must be d»J*e to deter such men as you. I do not intend to order flogging in your case, I merely throw out the suggestion as a warning. When you committed the, offence you may have been to some extent under the influence of liquor, but the evidence shows premeditation. 1 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."