WA: Man gets two years jail for stabbing backyard prowler

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2000
WA: Man gets two years jail for stabbing backyard prowler

A 58-year-old West Australian real estate agent has received a two-year jail sentence
for the manslaughter of a prowler in his backyard last June.

PETER LENANE claimed he acted in self-defence when he fatally stabbed 66-year-old IAN
MENZIES after discovering him in his backyard wielding what was thought to be an axe but
which turned out to be a length of PVC pipe.

However, a West Australian Supreme Court jury rejected his version of events, finding
him not guilty of murder but guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Justice GEOFFREY MILLER said the case was not one of a brave man defending himself
and his property -- and it was important people were deterred from taking the law into
their own hands.

But the judge also said the offence was in the "lowest" range of manslaughter cases
and that LENANE should be eligible for parole during his sentence.

AAP RTV alm/nf/sub

KEYWORD: LENANE (PERTH)

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