ALLEGED ILLEGAL OPERATION

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 191, 8 May 1924, Page 5

ALLEGED ILLEGAL OPERATION

HEARING CONCLUDED ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL The preliminary hearing; of the charge-of unlawfully using; an instrument with intent to procure abortion, preferred against Julia Ruddlesden and Frederick Raynor Pinny, was concluded in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Mr. E. Page, S.M., was on the bench. Chief-Detective Kemp prosecuted, Mr. J. F. B. Stevenson appeared for Ruddlesden and Mr. R. Kennedy for Pinny. In evidence, Dr. Luke stated that at 9 a.m. on April 15 he attended the girl, who was in a very serious condition. The loss of blood was consistent with a certain irregularity.. Dr. de Castro, of the Wellington Hospital, said he had diagnosed the case a«, incomplete abortion. After an operation the patient suffered from puerperal septicaemia, and owing to her low condition a quantity of blood was later transfused from another person.

Detective Mclennan said that in company with Detective Jarrold he visited Mrs. Ruddlesden’s house at 4 Penrose Avenue. Newtown, at 4.15 p.m. on April 29. Accused was visibly affected when they arrived, and witness observed that she knew what they had come for. A request that they defer the search until the return of her husband was not entertained. “She was asked,” continued witness, “to produce the instruments she had used, as it would probablv save trouble in turning things about. She pulled two instruments out of the duchess. . . She then said that she would not have aborted her had the girl not come to her and pleaded with her to do it. She said she had done it as a special favour, and not for any gain. . , . Other instruments were found in a box in the bedroom. She said she had known Pinny, ’for some time.” Pinny was interviewed at 38 Hobson Street, and he said lie knew the girl was in hospital suffering from the effects of a miscarriage, but that lie understood it had been •brought on by riding on, the back of his motor-cycle. He admitted that he had received a letter from the girl, in which the following passage occurred ‘I have been to Mrs. Huddleston, and she has performed the operation. She gave me a message to give to you, so can I see you to-day, Saturday, at ten minutes past twelve, just near where my room is on the corner. I do not want to go too- far. ... I have just been very .sick. . . . I gave the lady that ten shillings for my room, as it is due to-day. Don’t forget.” Accused entered pleas of not guilty, reserved their defence, and were committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail GB3OO in each case), was renewed.