ABDUCTION OF A GIRL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1916, Page 6

ABDUCTION OF A GIRL.

JtIIDNIGHT ELOPEMENT. MASQUERADE AS SOLDIER. Auckland, Wednesday. A pscudo soldier, wlio eloped through the window late at night with his landlady's daughter, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with IS months' reformative treatment, Ijy Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday The man, bv name Alexander MaeMahon, alias Caldwell, aged 21, was charged that he removed a girl, under the age of IS years from her parents' 1 ome without their consent with criminal intent, In outlining the ease, Sub-Inspector Afcllveney stated that accused and a companion, whom, he regretted, he had been unable to secure, worked at the Chelsea works. They masqueraded as soldiers, and stayed at the house of the girl's mother, who kept a boardinghouse. 'Jhe companion, who was in the confidence of accused, obtained a second-hand wedding ring and a new engagement ring. The parents were not informed of the arrangements. The following mornii:g, when the police had been informed, the trains were watched, and it was found that the other man had obtained tickets for the pair, and when they came down to the train they were taken "harge of by the police. THE MOTHER'S STORY. The mother of the girl stated that accused, with a companion, came to hoard with her about two months ago. Jioth said they were returned soldiers. Mont a fortnight ago witness asked accused if it were true that he had taken ' er daughter out after she had gone to bed. He did not deny it, and said there was no harm. Witness told him the girl s age and warned him to leave her alone. He then said he 'would leave the l ouse, but she did not want him to do this. Accused had never suggested marriage. Her daughter had always been well treated. Accused paid his board up lo last Friday, but he did not take his things awav. Witness saw her daughter retire for the night between S p.m. and !' p.m. The following morning, on going to call her, witness found she had gone, nid nothing left to account for the sudden disappearance The accused had also gone. Witness then informed the police. Cross-examined: Her daughter was as truthful as most girls. There were generally about five boarders. Witness and her daughter did most of the housework. The daughter left the house once before with a girl who had said she would make more money away from home. She came back on that occasion after the police had been* communicated with. Neither witness nor her husband had ever been harsh to her daughter. Re-examined, witness said she would sooner see her daughter dead than married to accused SIRL EASILY LED. The father of the girl said she was easily led, but as a rule not hard to control. He had seen accused wearing a soldier's uniform on the first Sunday he arrived. Constable Ileaslip staled that, when ."•rested, accused said the girl's mother had been bad to her, and that he interdcd marrying her. They had stayed :he previous night at a boardinghouse, and intended going to Hamilton; but when searched accused had railway tickets for Te Kuiti. Witness also found in accused's possession a soldier's pay-book in the name of "Thaugland." Accused said lie had found it. In a dress basket which accused was carrying witness found a soldier's uniform, and male and female clothing. Accused made no statement regarding the uniform. EVIDENCE OF THE GIRL. Sub-Inspector Mcllvency intimated that this closed his ease, and that lie did not intend calling the girl. Mr. Moody | rotested. and finally agreed to call her himself. He explained the reason for accused's two names, stating he used his adopted parents' name. Mr. Moody also indicated that his defence was that owing to the treatment the girl received at home she had decided to leave, and that accused was not primarily responsible. The girl concerned said she had received no money for her housework until up to a few weeks ago. Since accused came to her mother's house he had always behaved well. Before accused came to the house she was not treated well by her parents. As regards leaving home, accused told her he was going away ana she said if no went she would go too. lie asked her where she would like to go. She made no reply, and he said they would go to Hamilton. They left the house in time to catch the 11 p.m. boat, '.'hey intended catching the 11.SO p.m. train but found that no train left at that time They spent an liour looking : for a boardinghouse. Accused had said he would marry her, and she was satisi ficd as to his sincerity. To the Sub Inspector: Accused only I wme the uniform at their house once, I she had not seen the pay book before. ■ She had liked him very much, ever since lie first came to the house. When they • left the house they went through the window taking the basket with them. • Accused gave her the wedding and encagemeiit ring after they lelt. Accused's friend had suggested her leaving with accused, and another man had also , urged her to go with accused. She admitted that relations of accused had »«kcd her in the witness-room outside te.e Court "to stick tip'' for accused. >;0 EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES The Magistrate asked M-v. Moody what was the explanation for accused owning a uniform and was told that aomised said his companion had bought it for him. Mr. C'lttcn: '■Where is this man?" The Sub-Inspector: "If I knew, ho would he standing there with accused." , In giving his decision the magistrate said there was really no defence, and f.ccuscd must be convicted. "It looks to said Mr. Cutten, "as though three men had made an attempt to bring this ! voung girl down and what makes it worse is accused and another used soldiers' uniforms to make themselves more attractive. There are really no extenuating circumstances,' and accused will be sentenced to six months' hard labor, v.-ith 18 months' reformative treatment.