UNLAWFUL CARNAL KNOWLEDGE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28008, 30 June 1956, Page 10

UNLAWFUL CARNAL KNOWLEDGE

FOUR YOUNG MEN FINED PROBATION TERMS ALSO IMPOSED (New Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE, June 29. Four young men convicted of unlawful carnal knowledge of a 15-year-old girl were each fined £2O by r E. L. Walton, S.M., in the Magistrate s Court today. They were also admitted to probation for two years under special conditions. A fifth young man was fined £lO lor attempted unlawful carnal knowledge. and was also admitted to probation. Bevan Frederick Arthur Ellis, aged 20. a mechanic, John David Gordon, aged 18. a linesman, Charles Edward Hough, aged 21. a mechanic, and Neil Raymond Walsh, aged 20, a grocer, were each fined £2O. Robert Marshall Burns, aged 21. a driver, was fined £lO. The Magistrate commented that, as his offence was one of attempt, the fine would be reduced by half. The Magistrate said there was a general restriction on sending persons under 21 years of age to prison, unless the circumstances of the case showed that some other method of dealing with them was insufficient. Detention centres for persons between the ages of 17 and 22 had not yet been established in New Zealand. Such detention, with its rigorous supervision. might have been an appropriate sentence in these cases.

In the circumstances, the accused would be released on probation in addition to being fined, but special conditions would be imposed, the Magistrate said. A special condition of probation was that the accused must not associate with persons or groups or persons without the permission of the Probation Officer.

In addition, Ellis was ordered to keep out of billiards saloons, and Gordon to abstain from intoxicating liquor. The period of probation and conditions imposed apply to all five accused. who had pleaded not guilty.

Also before the Court was Robert John Stevens, aged 19. a mechanic, who pleaded not guilty to unlawful carnal knowledge of the same girl. The Magistrate held that the offence had been committed, and remanded the accused in custody until Tuesday for sentence.