Accused Gives Evidence On Counselling Charges

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29273, 3 August 1960, Page 14

Accused Gives Evidence On Counselling Charges

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, August 2. Victor Cecil Deverick, aged 43, a telephone line mechanic, said in the Auckland Supreme Court today that a small influx of members not up to standard in their moral or social outlook—described by another witness as “motorbike cowboys”—had given his gymnasium a bad name. Deverick was giving evidence on his own behalf before Mr Justice Boys and a jury. He is standing trial on two charges, one of counselling and procuring his sister-in-law, Mrs Ivy Lillian Norton, to use unlawfully an instrument on a young woman, and one of aiding, abetting and counselling the young woman concerned to permit an instrument to be used on her to procure a miscarriage.

Deverick said the girls in the dub openly discussed their sex lives among themselves. It was necessary for him to know of any pregnancies, as the gymnasium exercises were very strenuous. His first knowledge about the pregnancy of the young woman concerned- was all from hearsay. His attention was drawn to her pregnancy by another woman in the gymnasium, of whom the girl was making inquiries. Advice To Girl He said the girl discussed her pregnancy with him later and he took her off exercises. When she asked him for any other advice he told her to go to the Motherhood of Man on several occasions. He had no direct knowledge of what his sister-in-law, Mrs Norton did, he said. It was merely hearsay around the club that she was a capable abortionist He did not recollect being asked for Mrs Norton's name and address by the young woman concerned, neither did he recollect speaking to Mrs Norton about it. It was probable that he did so, as he would have discussed such a problem as a pregnancy with an older woman such as Mrs Norton.

He often, discussed the problems of people in his gymnasium, but he could not remember discussing the trouble of the young woman. On the day that he was alleged to have called on Mrs Norton to discuss a possible abortion he was still in bed with a heavy cold. He was there all day, he said, and was visited by two persons from the gymnasium that evening. Accused Cross-examined In cross-examination. Deverick said he became aware that the police suspected him of being in the drug traffic when a friend of his who was serving a short term of imprisonment informed him that Constable Hughes had gone to the Auckland Prison and offered him cigarettes if the prisoner would say something against the accused. The accused said he complained to the police about lost photographs. They were a source of worry to him because in the hands of a photographer they were proper, but in the hands of a blackmailer they could be dangerous. The photographs, were of the type by which girls could be blackmailed. They were taken so that prospective photographers could select models. Accused received the release of the photographs from the girls concerned in the presence of a witness. Margaret Andrewartha, called by Mr G. S. Speight as one of two witnesses in rebuttal, said she had been a neighbour of the accused in Mountain View road. Originally, the club appeared to be well run, and her son attended. Later, parties went on to 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., and she had occasion to call the police. She complained of liquor and immoral conduct taking place between young persons in her yard. She complained to Deverick himself, but did not get a sympathetic hearing. He always appeared to be under the influence of liquor. Some of the girls concerned looked to be about 16.

Cross-examined by Mr B. D. Webster, the witness said she was told last year by the police that they had begun investigations into the club. She did not like to see young girls carried from the premises under the influence of liquor. Constable’s Evidence Constable John Rex Hughes said that toward the end of last year he was attached to the special duties section and was introduced to the accused. On December 19, 1959, he went to the clubrooms, and there were about 40 persons aged between 15 and 20 at a party. The girls were between the ages of 15 and 16. He was there for three hours, and their behaviour was disgraceful. Most of the persons were' obviously intoxicated, as was the accused. He saw drugs being distributed by the accused and other members of the club. He took possession of five capsules. One girl was very distraught, and appeared to be either drunk or drugged. Questioned by his Honour, the witness denied that he had gone to the prison and tried to induce a man named Rogers by offering him cigarettes to give evidence against Deverick. The trial will continue tomorrow.