SENTENCE ON STURROCK.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1922, Page 6

SENTENCE ON STURROCK.

FOURTEEN YEARS IN GAOL. JUDGE’S SEVERE COMMENT. In passing sentence! of a lengthy term of imprisonment on Arnold Onslow Sturrock at the New Plymouth Supreme Court sessions yesterday, Mr. Justice Chapman made soine severe strictures on the crimes of which the prisoner was convicted (unnatural offences). A verdict of guilty was brought in Iby the jury on Saturday, after a short retirement, and His Honor had deferred sentence for consideration. “Prisoner,” said. His Honor, “this is the most disgusting case, with which it has ever been my misfortune to have to deal —the most shocking case that I can recall. I had yesterday to deal with the case of a man who had committed the same offence. His offences, however, were committed within a few weeks, but you. seem to have carried on this system of corrupting the morals of young lads for a series of years. “It is impossible to tell how far it has gone —how many you have inveigled in this way. We only know of these two, and I am only dealing with these two, but the effect of such conduct upon youths who are tempted to submit to the treatment which you gave them is 'beyond calculation. There is one thing to be said to the credit of at least one of those who lent themselves as accomplices, that he appeared to try and get away from your influence, but he was unable to do so, suffering in illhealth.

“I can only look upon things of this kind from the moral viewpoint and from the point of view of the protection of the young members of the public, and that is the ground which impressed me most. That is to say, that I am taking proper measures for the protection of the youth of this community from men who set an example such as you have set, and men who act secretly in the manner in which you have acted. I consider it my duty to put a stamp upon this conduct such as others who may be likely to offend will remember for many a day how this Court has' dealt with you. Furthermore, so far as you are concerned, I intend to effectually protect the youth of this community, especially the young Maori boys, to whom you showed this inclination, by interposing bolts and bars between you and your possible victims. I shall not pass upon you the maximum sentence allowed by law, though I have felt some doubt as to whether it was not my duty to do so.”

His Honor then announced the terras of the sentence, namely, 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labor on the charge concerning the first Maori, and five years’ hard labor on the second charge. He explained to prisoner that these sentences would be concurrent, so that the total term of imprisonment was fourteen years.

The acaused appeared to take his sentence calmly as he was removed from the dock.