CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 108, 10 May 1927, Page 9

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

OLD MAN ACQUITTED.

BEHAVIOUR OF A YOUNG GIRL.

JUDGE'S TRENCHANT COMMENT.

Emmanuel Sefont (75), who had denied charges of olTences against small girls of jl, :\ and G years, -was found not guilty and discharged.

Summing up yesterday afternoon, Mr. Justice Stringer pointed out that it was always unsafe to convict on uncorroborated evidence, and in one of the cases there was no corroboration. The defence was that prisoner had occasionally given the children pennies to induce them to go away, because they took a delight in annoying him. On the other hand certain definite allegations had been made against accused. It was entirely for the jury to decide. Keturning after deliberatoin in private, the jury gave their verdict as stated.

YOUNG GIRL'S "ESCAPADES."

Robert Hughes (25) was charged with two serious offences in regard to a girl of 14 years and 7 months. He pleaded not guilty.

The girl gave evidence. Under crossexamination by Mr. Alan Moody (defending), she admitted that what occurred had occurred on previous occasions with other men. She also admitted that she had been picking up with boys since the middle of last year.

Summing up, his Honor said he did not think it would be to the benefit of the Court or of the public to hear more of the girl's escapades.

At his Honor's direction, the jury, without leaving their seats, returned a verdict of "not guilty," and Hughes was discharged.