Saturday, March 9th, 1967, p3
Headmaster’s sentence is cut
Three judges in the Court of Appeal yesterday cut three years off the five-year prison sentence passed on William Michael Byrd, the headmaster convicted of cruelty to boys in his case, after hearing an “impressive” plea by a school chaplain, the Rev. Peter Watts Pitt Brook. Mr. Brook is also a chaplain and a visitor to the prison where Mr. Byrd is serving his sentence.
Lord Parker of Waddington, Lord Chief Justice, said Mr. Brook thought that Mr. Byrd was not a sadistic and evil man, but was doing thing that not so long ago would have been considered normal.
“He thinks that in moments of impatience Byrd may have gone further than he should.” Lord Parker added: “I think Mr. Brook was a very impressive witness and the Court accepts what he says.”