JURY ACQUITS YOUTH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29599, 23 August 1961, Page 11

JURY ACQUITS YOUTH

Carnal Knowledge Charge

Hori Temarina Norton, aged 19, a freezing worker, was found not guilty by a jury in the Supreme Court yesterday of unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl aged 15 years seven months at Tuahiwi on June 26. Mr Justice Macarthur discharged the accused.

The jury took 43 minutes to reach its verdict.

Mr C. M. Roper appeared for the Crown. The accused was represented by Mr D. H. Stringer, who said the evidence pointed to the accused’s believing the girl was 16 or over at the time.

Before discharging the accused his Honour referred to a “disturbing” factor which had come out in evidence—that the accused held a driving licence although he was subject to seizure fits at intervals. “One cannot but sympathise with a young man who suffers from a disability of this sort, which was exhibited in this Court during the hearing of the case,’ ’ said his Honour. “However, it is a disturbing thought that, having this weakness, you are in possession of a driving licence.” His Honour said it was his duty to bring the matter to the proper authorities so that the accused’s condition could be investigated to determine his fitness for holding a driving licence.