ABDUCTION OF GIRL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 217, 12 September 1940, Page 4

ABDUCTION OF GIRL.

OFFENDER PUNISHED. GAOL FOR THREE MONTHS. • „ WHAKATANE, this day. "Abduction is considered a serious offence, and rightly eo. There was no possible chance of Wray mistaking the age of the girl, as she was only 13. To take a child away is striking at the foundations of family life, and I would be failing in my duty if I did not regard it seriously," said Mr. E. L. Walton, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when sentencing Arthur Mitchell Wray, aged 25, to three months' imprisonment on a charge of the abduction of a girl under the age of 18 years. On a second charge of escaping from lawful custody, Wray was remanded on the application of the police. Wray, who was represented by Mr. B. S. Barry, elected to be dealt with summarily, and pleaded.guilty.

Sergeant M. Farrell said the accused was formerly a contractor employed by the Education Department, and was engaged in conveying children to school. He was arrested at Taupo, when it wae found that he and the girl were living as man and wife under the name of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Mr. Barry said the accused had hitherto borne an unblemished character, and came from a highly-respected family. His lapse eeemed inexplicable, but there was undoubtedly some form of mutual attraction, which apparently had the consent of the girl's parents, as Wray had been welcomed to supper on occasions when he escorted the girl to the pictures or on other outings. The girl was at all times a willing and consenting party, however, with no suggestion of being a loose character. She had set up house in a manner which would have done credit to any woman. In view of the circumstances and accused's previous good character, counsel submitted that a term of probation would be sufficient punishment.