A SHOCKING CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1917, Page 3

A SHOCKING CASE

KEEPING A BROTHEL. DUNEDIN. This l;av. Ernest Sylvester and Phillip Elzery pleaded guilty at the Police Court this ' morning on a charge of keeping a house of ill-fame at North East Harbour. Magistrate Young, before mo facta were stated, ordered the crowded Court to bo cleared. Chief Detective Bishop said that the ' evidence gathered by the detectives ■ revealed shocking facts, proving that j not only wero the accused brothel- | keepers of the worst type, but they j were procurers of girls, one a more gin of seventeen, and another a soldier’s wife whose husband was now fighting in Franco. With tho exception of two. all. wero girls whom he had evidence of being at the house, wore iu respectable situations. ! On® was formerly in accused’s employ ,and he obtained an evil influence over her. and she assisted him to procure fresh girls from amongst her working companions. Tho Magistrate solid accused was liable to twelve months’ imprisonment, but under the Military Service Act, « man who served that term ceased to become a reservist. Accused would therefore be sentenced to eleven months imprisonment with hard labour. The Magistrate considering a suggestion that a fin® would he sufficient, .said it was out of the question.