ATTEMPT TO ADMINISTER CHLOROFORM

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22591, 22 December 1938, Page 7

ATTEMPT TO ADMINISTER CHLOROFORM

YOUNG MAN COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE

CTBZSS ASSOCIATION TELEQBAM.) GISBORNE, December 21. Frank Victor Michie, aged 21, appeared before Mr W. H. Walton, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court this morning on a charge of attempting to administer chloroform to a girl aged 17 with intent to injure her. The girl gave evidence that she had known the accused for two years, and had been keeping company with him, both being frequent visitors to each other's homes. A week ago she went to a dance with the accused, but they had a row, and she went home with another boy. On Friday night she went to bed at 9.30, and was awakened at 1.30 a.m. by someone standing at the head of another girl who shared the room with her. She screamed and put on the light, the intruder running away. Later she found a handkerchief on which there was chloroform.

The second girl gave evidence that she was awakened by the smell of chloroform, and felt something on her face.

A chemist's assistant gave evidence of having sold.a bottle of chloroform to the accused, who said he wanted to operate on a cat. Detective C. P. Belton produced a statement in which the accused admitted the facts, but said he had only put a couple of drops of chloroform on the handkerchief, and did not intend to harm her, but only to put her to sleep. The accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court in Wellington for sentence.