CARNAL CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1933, Page 6

CARNAL CHARGE

ACCUSED MARRIES GIRL.

[Per Press Association -Copyright.)

£ r ;AUCKLAND, August 24. / •When a man .aged 20, was-charged in the police court with carnal knowledge of a girl of -151, it was revealed that‘they were married two days ago. The police .called /the girl as,a. witness,., but she refused to give evidence against, her husband. A detective gave evidence of a state--ment voluntarily made by the accused, but not signed. The girl’s mother said she had consented to the mprriivge. - There ensued a* Hong- arguhWnt' between Magistrate MoLca.n and the accused’s counsel, Mr Rudd, who asked that the case be dismissed, as no jury; could reasonably be asked to convict. He could not imagine a worse start for ■ r a young couple than letting this mat-; Ter go further. •- The magistrate; sa id -he could fnotv That; no .jury would convict. ->:AoQ U nsel pointed out that the •'girl Jl whs well matured, looking much more, than her age. He urged that public; 'hrtdi ; est : ’was "liotniivolved:^ TJie magistrate said his own private; views - could not. be allowed •to affect hig'*decision” EventuaHy* he'admirhed the case while he considered it, and ordered a suppression of the accused’s; name.