ABORTIONIST SENTENCED

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29844, 9 June 1962, Page 12

ABORTIONIST SENTENCED

Prison Term Imposed (N Z Press Association) AUCKLAND. June 8 “Abortion is a filthy trade striking at the foundation of ordered society,” said Mr Justice Boys in the Supreme Court at Auckland today when he sentenced Leslie Ward Mackie, aged 64, a retired chemist, to three years' gaol on eight counts of unlawfully using an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage Marjorie Jean Norton, a 36-year-old nurse-reception-ist, who had been jointly found guilty with Mackie of five charges, was admitted to probation for three years and fined a total of £250 The jury had recommended mercy for Norton. Pleading for leniency. Mr M Robinson submitted that Mackie had drifted into the offences following his conviction for attempted abortion in 1957 when he had been deprived of his means of livelihood. For the Crown Mr S A Cleal said that Mackie was carrying out illegal operations for money He charged £lOO for each operation

The Crown conceded that Norton did not play a major part in the crimes.

Pigeon Club.— Results of the Canterbury Pigeon Flying Club’s weekly show held recently were:—Yearling cocks (judge. Mr V. Main): K Harrison. 1: L Parker. 2: A. Anderson. 3 Yearling hens 'judge. Mr B Partridge): V Main. 1: L. Starling, 2: L. Starling 3.