WALDEN SENT TO GAOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3790, 10 May 1928, Page 2

WALDEN SENT TO GAOL.

WITH THREE YEARS’ HARD LABOUR.

SAYS JUDGE, IMPOSING THREE YEARS HARD LABOUR.'

William Alfred Te Mokina Walden, factory hand, of Kairanga, found guilty in the Supreme Court, Palmerston N., of carnal knowledge of a girl und'er 16 years of age, was yesterday sentenced by the Hon. Mr Justice Ostler to three years hard labour. His Honour intimated that he had given consideration to the request by counsel for accused that he be allowed to take to the Court of Appeal, the point as to whether the certificate of birth produced was sufficient evidence of the age of the girl who was an adopted daughter. Counsel had contended that more definite evidence was needed that the girl was actually the child mentioned in the certificate. His Honour, however, considered that the evidence brought by the Crown was sufficient proof of the age of the girl. He was not prepared to put the country to the expense of stating the case before the Court of Appeal and if Counsel thought he was wrong, then he could move himself. Addressing accused, His Honour stated that it was impossible to view the case lightly. Walden was 25 years of age, married, and yet he took) this young girl who was so ignorant that she didn’t know the true meaning of Walden’s acts and the possible consequences to herself. There was the inevitable re- *- suit that accused clearly foresaw, that he had ruined her life by causing her to bear an illegitimate child while still under 16 years of age. Accused really deserved a much more severe sentence than His Honour intended to impose. Happily the thought that the prisoner might be leaving a wife and child and the prospective child of the girl, unprovided for, need not give any concern as men in gaol now earned wages which would be sufficient to provide for their dependents.