ILLEGAL OPERATION

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 426, 6 May 1937, Page 6

ILLEGAL OPERATION

Dunedin Conviction Press Association—Copyright. Dunedin, May 5. Ethel May Fox in the Supreme Court to-d-ay was indicted on three charges of using an instrument to procure a miscarriage. She was also charged with disposing of the dead body of a child With intent to .conceal its birth. She pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Detective-Sergeant Hall in evidence detailed a search of accused's house. There was evidence, he said, that a girl living there had given birth to an eight-mo’.ish*' child. He found bones and ashes m a copper, bat these could nr.t be identified as human, and no human remains had been found near .he house. The first girl concerned stated that Fox performed seven illegal operations on her, receiving 30s. Other witnesses' were the young man responsible for the girl's condition, who allegedly took her to Fox, and another young woman allegedly delivered of an eight-months’ child by an illegal operation. Mr Justice Kenledy, in traversing the evidence, said it was competent for the jury to act on the evidence of an accomplice, but he warned the jurymen of the danger that might arise from such a course. After a retirement of three hours the jury returned a vedict of guilty on one charge of procuring a miscarriage and of not guilty on the other charges.