THE WYNDHAM CASE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 15 June 1901, Page 4

THE WYNDHAM CASE.

(PBB PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Invercargill, This Day, . •jß|if To-day the Supreme Court took two charges arising out of the Wyndham ease, iri which Barbara Oushnio, a girl of 14, gave bixhh to a child, which was ao- ■ cidently smothered. Noil Douglas (35) waa, charged with indecently assaulting the girl on several occasions. The offence was practically admitted, the defence being that he believed her to.be over 16. Accused wont ■ into the box, and stated that his quarters Wqfo'.in, a bam when he was on the girl’s father’s farm, and that she came there of her own volition. He thought from ji:her conversation, the manner of dress, and her carrying on that she was over 16. Summing up, Judge Cooper said it was a terrible case. This girl of 13 seemed to, have had her own way, and to some extent developed vicioUs tendencies. The jury found Douglas guilty. His Honor passed a sentence of three byears’ hard laber. He took into consideration that the girl did not to have been properly trained, and possibly held - out an inducement to accused, but a law . had been passed to protect such girls. John Woods (23), charged with the same offence with the same girl, pleaded guilty. His Honor said that this case was entirely different in character. The ruin of the girl could not be laid at Wood’s door. The other prisoner first debauched the girl, and it was to some extent because of the offence committed by Douglas that Woods was led into this crime. He thought he would bo doing his duty by giving the prisoner a chance to reform himself and hoped that he would take advanta re of it. The prisoner was admitted on probation for 12 months, paying £lO and costs.