The Kiritehere Assault Case.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 315, 7 June 1907, Page 2

The Kiritehere Assault Case.

BENNETT FOUND GUILTY. At the Auckland Supreme Court on Monday (before Judge Denniston), John Bennett, a middle-aged man was charged with a breach of the age of consent in respect to a Maori girl, and also with criminal assult. Mr J. R. Landon defended. A number of witnesses were called for tbe prosecution, Tbe girl said that she lived with relations in the Kawhia district, dose to the prisoners wbare. She had been riding the prisoners’ horse, when be asked her into the wbare It was then that the offence was committed. Constable M‘Oar thy, of Kawhia, gave evidence of arrest. The accursed bad said to him that ho was innocent. Dr. Jenkins, of Kawb also gave evidence. The accused, o<< oath, said he had been in Kawhia three years. He absolutely denied tbe truth of the charges. He gave a full account of his doings on the di»y in question (Feb ruary 3rd). His horse was turned out, and he did not give i he girl a ride on it. Hownver, another man and Bella were in bis wbare that day, but they came and left together. The doctor, being recalled, said he would have thought that the girl was between 18 and 15 years of age. His Honor: She is said to be 10 years of age. Mr Landon, in hrs address, referred to tbe statement sworn by tbe girl at tbe Police court to the effect that

cu3s sue accused naa improperly known her last December. He emphasised the fact that she had iu this trial admitted that was wrong. The jury, after a retirement, returned a verdict of “guilty,” and prisoner was remanded for sentence until ten o’clock in the morning, when he was sentenced to three years’ imp isonment. We learn that Bennett has been put into tbe gaol hospital, where he is being treated for eancer of the jaw. Tbe case is considered to be a serious one.