A PAINFUL CASE.

NZ Truth, Issue 62, 25 August 1906, Page 4

A PAINFUL CASE.

Only Fifteen and Pregnant.

Ex-Publican's Wayward Daughter.

At the Supreme Court Phillip Sallon. a youth of 19 was charged with carnally knowing a girl named O'Brien, under 16 years of are. The "id whose parents at one time kept the Rob Roy Hotel, said she had known prisoner 18 months. She would not _c 16 till this August 25 but she had told accused on her last birthday that she was 16. She had had intercourse with Sallon many, times, generally m Western Park, Ponsonby. She admitted writing m the birthday book, produced by Mr Lundon, prisoner's counsel, her name and that she was born m 1889, afterwards she crossed out the words "born m."

The girl's mother handed m a birth certificate, showing that she was born on August 25, 1890, atCoromandel. Witness had heard that her daughter was carrying on with Sallon and forbade her to see him.

The medical evidence proved that THE GIRL WAS PREGNANT

and a woman named Mary McQuiod stated that Salloh had been to her and told her he was* the cause and mentioned his intention of seeing his sweetheart through her trouble. Witness told accused then that the girl was only 15. She admitted hearing the girl telling him m her presence she was 16.

Fre-ejnan's Bay policeman Cox told how the girl's father had complained to him that his daughter had been out all night with Sallon. Witness saw accused and warned him that the girl was only 15. The girl's father threatened, to thrash the prisoner if he persisted m his intimacy with his daughter and he also asked witness to thrash them both if he found them together, and wanted the girl arrested and taken to a home or convent, if she, would not leave prisoner. Sailon m givinp; evidence on his own behalf, swore that he always believed the girl was over 16. She constantly assured him she was and he would believe her before .anyone, else

The jury found prisoner guilty, with a recommendation to the leniency of the court on account of his youth and the fact that the girl had been neglected by her parents. Subsequently his Honor announced that he understood Sallon wished to marry the girl if her parents consented. Mr -Lundon said the>- mother had already consented. His Honor said the father's; consent was of more importance. He would defer sentence till Wednesday. when the father must be ordered to attend. The boy's father's consent must also be obtained. ' '

On Wednesday, the parents of both sides having consented, and the prisoner expressing, his desire to marry the girl, his Honor announced that on his undertaking to do so m a week ' he would give him his freedom. Let it .be hoped that it will be a case of "alls-we ll that ends well."