LOOSE-LIVING EVANGELIST

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 35, 10 August 1923, Page 10

LOOSE-LIVING EVANGELIST

SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS'

HARD LABOUR.

(IT TELIORAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.}.

DUNEDIN, 9th August. In the Supreme Court to-day the case against Abraham Alfred Lind was concluded. Lind, who was an evangelist and missioner, was indicted on nine counts of rape and indecent assault, the alleged offences being against members of his own flock. The ages, of the three women. concerned ranged from 21 to 30 years.- ■ - . . -. '

One of the women repeated the evidence given in the lower Court. She said that on the occasion when .. Lind behaved improperly, she felt helpless and could neither speak nor protest. On one occasion a* Lmd's house she had an irresistible impulse to kiss him, and did so. When- she ■ had pleaded with him one day to tell his wife of his misdoings, he refused, saying, "I am sick of you.

Another witness stated that when -Lind looked into her eyes and commanded her to meet him, she felt compelled to do so. .

After a ■ letiremer^fc of four ajid a half hours the jury returned a verdict of guilty, .on one count-of indecent assault, and the prisoner was sentenced to seven| years' imprisonment with hard labour.