UNUSUAL FEATURES

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 206, 27 May 1932, Page 7

UNUSUAL FEATURES

Marriage of 15-year-old Girl CHARGE AGAINST HUSBAND By Telegraph—-Press Association. New Plymouth, May 25. A case with unusual features came before his Honour Mr. Justice Reed in the Supreme Court to-day. Francis Michael Landers, of Kaupokonui, was charged with making a false declaration under the Marriage Act for the purpose of enabling him to marry a girl fifteen years of age without the consent of her parents. He was married in the Registrar’s Office and subsequently was remarried in the Roman Catholic Church, the second marriage being with the consent of the girl’s parents. He pleaded guilty to the charge of making the false declarations, but other charges had arisen out of circumstances which involved allegations of carnal knowledge with the girl, or, alternatively, of indecently assaulting her. To these he pleaded not guilty. The charge of alleged carnal knowledge, had been rejected by justices at the hearing in the lower court, and accused was committed on the charge relating to the false declaration. The rejected charge had, however, been reinstated and a further alternative charge added, and these matters were the subject of comment and an appli-, cation by counsel before the jury was empanelled. Counsel' said the Attorney-General had interested himself in the matter and at his direction or with his consent the rejected charge had been reinstated and the other: charge added. He submitted that as the charge in the indictment was not grounded on anything in the sworn depositions the count ought to be quashed.’ , His Honour said he could not quash it at the moment, but if, when the evidence was heard, it could be shown to be inadmissable, he could withdraw the matter from the jury or direct them 'to find a verdict for accused. The trial then proceeded on the charges relating to carnal knowledge or indecent assault, a plea of guilty being taken on the third count relating to the charge of false declaration. Subsequently accused asked, and was granted leave, to amend his plea to one of guilty to the charge of carnal knowledge. His Honour said he thought accused was well advised to plead guilty, as op his own statement, and that of his wife, he thought the jury would have to convict him. It was true that he had done everything possible to remedy the offence, but the fact of marrying the girl in such circumstances did not wipe out the original offence. He therefore proposed to deal leniently with prisoner and ordered him to come up for sentence if called on within twelve months and to pgy £2O toward the cost of the. prosecution.