SEXUAL OFFENCES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2996, 6 February 1917, Page 6

SEXUAL OFFENCES

GRAND JURY'S PRESENTMENT.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

■ ' Auckland, February 5. At the Supreme Court, the Grand Jury, in support of His Honour's remarks earlier in the day, made the following presentment:—"The Grand Jury views with gratification His Honour's remarks as to the possibility that if a continuance- or increase of the precentage of sexual offences occurs, more drastic action will be taken against convicted offenders. The Grand Jury now urges, as has been done by grand juries in the past, that more severe punishment be meted out to convicted offenders than in the past."

His Honour said there wore anom. alies in the law. In cases of rape much greater powers were given to the Court than in cases of offences against girls and young children.' Themaximum sentence for indecent assault was seven years' . imprisonment, and it was strange that the maximum sentence for conviction of carnally knowiug was five years. In the eiise of convictions of defiling young children under the ageof 12 the maxinniin sentence of imprisonment was seven years, and that for convictions of sexual offences against children between the ages of 12 and 16was.fiv.e years' imprisonment. In cases pf .indecent assault the- limit was seven years' imprisonment. "There is no' doubt," said His Honour, "that in connection with proved cases of offonce it';ainst young children floggings may be administered. From information I have it appears, that-not "all the cases of crime against sex come before, the Courts." His Honour promised to convey the presentment .to the proper quarter.