WARNINGS BY COURT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 4

WARNINGS BY COURT

PROTECTION OF GIRLS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday It was the duty of the Court to protect the young girls of the community, especally those who could not be said to be of loose morals, stated the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, when a labourer, Robert William Pengelly, appeared before him for sentence on a charge of unlawful carnal knowledge. Counsel for the defence stated that the prisoner had had a clean record until the present offence. Had the girl concerned been of loose character he might have considered the case much more favourably, stated Sir Michael. “Unfortunately there are a number of cases that come before the Court where the girl, young though she may be, is just as blameworthy as the young man, and very often more so,’’ His Honour added. “Against that type of girl, as I have said more than once, the young men of the community must be protected, but that is not this case. “Here there is no suggestion of a girl of loose morals. I do not propose to make the sentence a heavy one, but It must be severe enough to let young men similarly minded know that such behaviour cannot be allowed to pass with impunity." A sentence of eight months’ imprisonment with hard labour was imposed. ___________