FIVE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1034, 24 August 1911, Page 3

FIVE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.

EDWARD REYNOLDS’

SENTENCE,

At the Supreme Court, Wellington, on Tuesday, before Mr Justice Sim, Edward Reynolds surrendered to his bail to stand retrial on a charge of unlawfully using an instrument on a girl, and with procuring Annie Peterson to commit such offence, thereby becoming a party to such an offence, and was found guilty thereof. The prisoner was tried with Annie Peterson last sessions, and was acquitted by the direction of the Judge, but the Full Court ordered a new trial on the ground that the Judge’s direction was erroneous at law, The case was heard in camera. Evidence was given by the girl that Reynolds procured an instrument and told her how to use it, which she did, without effect. He then took her to Peterson’s house, where the operation tion was performed. In crossexamination the girl wept bitterly, but did not vary her story in the slightest degree. After a retirement of an hour and a quarter, the jury returned a verdict of “Guilty.” The prisoner made no sign of surprise or otherwise, except that his lips shut tightly and his face went deathly white. He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.