CHARGE AGAINST A YOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1921, Page 6

CHARGE AGAINST A YOUTH.

HEARD AT THE SUPREME COURT. A youth of 'ighteen, George A. Derby, appeared befu. i Mr. Justice Salmond at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday on two charges of carnally knowing a girl under the age of 16 years. A plea of not guilty was entered. Mr. C. H. Weston appeared for the Crown, and Mr. R. H. Quilliam conducted the defence. The following jury was empanelled: Messrs. A. H. Grant, A. G. Hopkinsoh, A. Corney, L. E. Marsh, C. E. King, H. R. Boswell, S. Guscott, J. Niven, E. J. Lobb, A. Prestney, A. R. Clow, and W. George. Mr. Clow was chosen foreman. The case was outlined by the Crown Prosecutor, and particulars of the offence complained of were given by the girl. Her mother gave corroborative evidence, and produced a birth certificate showing the girl’s age; she was born on August 5, 1905. Accused, in evidence, denied having had improper relations with the girl. On the occasion when it was alleged the offence took place, on December 11, he stated that he had been engaged at his work as a motor lorry driver till 12 o’clock. During the afternoon he went down town and bought some parcels for his little brother, who was ill in bed at the time, and who had since died. He was not with the girl on that day or night. On the date of the second alleged offence (December 15), accused stated that he drove a lorry to Hawera and stayed the night there. Accused admitted having been in the hospital grounds at the end of October or the beginning of November with the girl, but he denied that any misconduct had taken place. Evidence corroborating accused’s statements regarding his movements on the dates of the alleged offences was given bv the father and mother of accused.

C. Moore, architect to the Education Board, and J..P. Millar, workshop foreman to the same board, gave evidence showing that accused went to Hawera on December 115 and stayed there through the night. Counsel for the defence addressed the jury, the Crown Prosecutor intimating that lie would not address them, and His Honor adjourned his summing up until 10 o'clock this morning. •