RECTOR GUILTY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 271, 11 July 1932, Page 5

RECTOR GUILTY

ress Assn.-

■the stiffkey case J31M0RAL CONDUCT PROYED AGAINST TWO WOMEN finding of the court

-By Telegraph— Copyright)

LONDON, Saturday. The Rev. H. F. Davidson, rector of iffkey, Norfolk, was found guilty immoral conduct in respect of L Ellis and Barbara Harris, of Iking improper suggestions to a liijess, "Miss D.," of kissing and Kdling Barbara Harris in a restaurL 0f accosting . and importuning |ej' -yaitresses, and of molesting lyllis Holt, Winifred Barker and illie Churchill. pir Davidson was the first to leave I Court, and when running from the lious crowds, said: 'II expected that Idict frorn the first." I'he Chancellor of the Consistory irtwho heard the charges, Mr. F. ■North, declared that he was satis1 Mr Davidson's evidence was a tis- | of reckless and deliberate falseKjs, "Mr. Davidson," he said/"may |an excellent parish priest, but I ijk he is mad about women, with iioral intent." Because of the startling nature of lallegations brought against the k Harold Francis Davidson, rector Ktiffkey, the sitting of the Norwich ■sistory Court has attracted more ■licity than any Other case of simi■kind for many years. Four charges Be brought against the rector by ■Bishop of Norwich, and these were

■ollows: — H) That the defendant was guilty Bnmoral conduct from 1921 to 1931 R Rose Elizabeth Ellis. R. That the defendant was guilty Rimoral conduct in August, 1929, in ■ he annoyed and made improper Restions to Dorothy Burn, a waitH at Lyons' Restaurant, at WalBk, London. ■) That the defendant was guilty Rimoral conduct in November, 1931 Riat he enibraced a young woman Rpublic room of the Yeng Wah Rese Restaurant, Bloomsbury. ■j That the defendant has during flast five years been guilty of imRl conduct in that he has habituRassociated himself with women of R cbaracter for immoral purposes. Rfifth charge later added was as ■p: That the defendant was guilty Rcosting, molesting, and importR young females for immoral Boses.