Youths Convicted Of Assault And Robbery (Press, 11 March 1960)

On 11 March 1960, a Magistrate's Court heard the case of two 17-year-old youths, lan James Barwell and John Dalton, convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm and robbery. The incident took place on 2 February when they, along with five other youths, violently assaulted Reginald William Rainer, a 50-year-old tile manufacturer, at his home in Sydenham, Christchurch.

Rainer, a married man with six children, recounted how one boy had approached him seeking work a few days prior to the attack, which raised his suspicions. On the evening of the assault, upon returning home, he found the group of youths already in his living room. When he asked them to leave, they became aggressive. Rainer was struck twice and held down while the youths demanded money. While the youths were hitting him they told him they hated queers. Initially, he could only provide a £1 note and some shillings, which infuriated them. They ransacked his home, eventually finding his cheque book, and after learning he had a bank balance of £160, they demanded £80, instructing him to put it in a paper bag to be delivered to them the next day near the Antigua boatsheds. Rainer complied out of fear.

Following the ordeal, which left him with a broken nose and jaw among other injuries, Rainer required five days of hospital treatment. When he reported the incident to the police, Constable A. J. Howart noted the violent scene: Rainer was bleeding from multiple injuries, and his home had been ransacked.

The Magistrate expressed scepticism about some witness testimonies but confirmed Rainer's victim status. It was concluded that the youths had no legal justification for their actions, and therefore, their assault was acknowledged. Although there were doubts regarding the details of the theft, the court found sufficient basis to infer that the youths had stolen items from Rainer's home.

Both Barwell and Dalton were remanded for a probation officer's report and were given renewed bail. The prosecution noted that both were on probation for a previous robbery charge. The case highlighted issues of youth violence and the need for protective measures for victims in the community.

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