GRAVE CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1926, Page 5

GRAVE CHARGES.

QUESTION OF AGE. A VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. The defence that he was under '21 years and thought the girl to be over 16 years erf age was raised by Robert Vincent Leonard Hattaway, who stood his trial this morning before Mr. Justice Stringer, charged with carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 16 Tears.

Mr. V. R. Meredith prosecuted, and Mr. G. P. Finlay represented the accused. At the conclusion of the case for the Crown, his Honor said he did not know what the jury was thinking, but he was of the opinion, after seeing the girl, that anyone might believe her to be: well over 16 years of age. She was a, well built and well developed girl. He would have taken her to be 18 or 20 years. Under the circumstances he would advise a verdict of not guilty. j The jury returned a verdict of not guilty without leaving the court, and the prisoner was discharged. MAORI BOYS CHARGED. ——— Three charges of indecent assault ori Maori boys at Rawene were preferred against Robert Stewart Banner before Mr. Justice Stringer in the Supreme Court this morning. Mr. Meredith prosecuted, and Mr. Hall Skelton appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. The case, which is described as being of a filthy nature, is proceeding. CASE FROM TE PAPAPA. SERIOUS CHARGES. At the Supreme Court yesterday, before Mr. Justice Herdman and a jury, Bertram Augustine O'Connor (Mr. B. P. Cahill) was charged with indecently assaulting a little girl at Te Papapa on February 20, and with indecent exposure outside his house at Te Papapa on February 20 and March 24. A number of little girls were called as witnesses for the Crown. When the case was resumed this morning accused gave evidence, and denied the charges made against aim. (Proceeding.)