THE SADLER CASE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 205, 9 May 1912, Page 5

THE SADLER CASE

GRAVE ALLEGATIONS. COMMITTED FOR TRIAU. By Telegraph—Press Association. Ohriatchurch, Last Night. ■ Walter Richard Sadler appeared on remand at the Police Court this morning charged with attempting to perform an illegal operation on a girl at Kaiapoi, on April 8. The accused seemed a little nervous, but apart from that showed no signs of distress. His cigarettestained fingers drummed on the edge of the dock, but he smiled as he stared at the people filing out when the order was given that the court should be cleared. The woman in the case deposed that she was living with her parents at Kaiapoi. She would be 19 years of age in June next. She had known a man named John Wilson for four years,. a,nd had kept company with him for about three years. Witness was three or four months pregnant. Witness knew the accused Sadler, who was a hairdresser, working recently in Wellington. She had known Sadler about two years, having met him at a dance in,Kaiapoi; Wilson saw Sadler and arranged .for him to come to Kaiapoi on Easter Monday. On that date witness saw Sadler in Kaiapoi about noon. Sad'lov was with Wilson. Wilson lived with his parents, who on that day were away from home. The three went to Wilson's housp. and witness then described what had occurred there.

Other evidence was also given. After the luncheon adjournment a further charge was preferred against Sadler, that, on April 26, of the present year, at Wellington, he attempted to perform an illegal operation on the same girl. The gir] gave evidence similar to that given by her in respect of the previous charge. She added that on April 25 she left Kaiapoi hv the 1.-10 n.m. train, travelling to Chri=lehwfi|. -v Wilson bought her a first-class ti"W, to Wellington under the name of Miss Jones. Witness knew then that she was going to see Sadler. Her reason for going was to attempt to procure a miscarriage. Wilson left Lyttelton by the 4.30 train, witness seeing him off. She went to Wellington by the Maori. By arrangement with Wilson a young man named Warwick met her at the boat and they went to the Troeadero Hotel, where she had breakfast, dinner and tea. On the evening of the 20tli she left the Troeadero with Warwick at a little after six o'clock, and went up to the top of the Kelburne tramline. Thev got out then and stood about for a while, shortly after being joined bv Sadler. Sadler and witness went into the gardens, leaving Warwick at the gate. lit was fairly dark at the time, and thev went to an open place. Witness described the alleged operation. Thev returned to Warwick, and he and Sadler spoke apart for a while, and then Sadler left them. Warwick got her baggage and she returned to the ship, and so back to Lyttelton. Accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial on both-charges, bail being allowed himself in £2OO and one surety of £2OO.