SERIOUS CHARGE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22335, 24 February 1938, Page 13

SERIOUS CHARGE

* ♦ CHEMIST TO STAND TRIAL (m«SR ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, February 23. Charged with unlawfully using an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage, Otto Robert Lahxnan, a chemist, aged 50, of Wellington, appeared before Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington to-day. After an all-day hearing the accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed conditional on the accused’s reporting daily to the police. The Magistrate suppressed the girl’s name until the Supreme Court hearing. The girl concerned said that her age was 23. She kept company with a Chinese and was engaged to him. She alleged that an operation on her was performed by the accused in a room at the Chinese’s place, on the corner of Taranaki and Vivian streets, on December 10. Constable F. Thompson said that he had interviewed the accused, who denied he had performed an illegal operation on any white girl in any Chinese house. The witness produced a statement signed by the accused, which further denied the allegation. The witness was invited to search the room in a house in Broomhead street which the accused occupied. In the fireplace, which was about half full 9f partly-burned paper and did clothing, was found the instrument produced earlier in the case.