ACTION TO QUASH RAPE CONVICTION

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1948, Page 8

ACTION TO QUASH RAPE CONVICTION

WELLINGTON, June 3. An application for the quashing or the setting aside of a plea of guilty in the Magistrate’s. Court to a charge of rape was heard before the Full Court in the- Supreme Court to-day on behalf of Desmond Walsh, aged 19. a cook from H.M.N.Z.S. Bellona. The application was first made on May 11 when Walsh appeared before Mr Justice Fair for sentence. He was then remanded .to appear before the Full Court. To-day the case is being heard before the Chief Justice, Sir Humphrey O’Leary, and Mr Justice Fair and Mr Justice Greeson Counsel for Walsh (Mr W. V. Gazley) said that so far as the presiding justices in the lower court were concerned he would not say that they had done anything wilfully or perversely wrong, but he would say that they failed to do certain things because of ignorance. The court staff was completely .blameless as far as the formal taking of depositions was concerned. So far as the police were concerned he would contend there was impropriety on the part of one police offioer, not wilfully or perversely, but through ignorance and the desire to do the best he could on behalf of the accused.