ARTIST IN COURT

Evening Star, Issue 18999, 22 July 1925, Page 6

ARTIST IN COURT

CHARGES OF ASSAULT [Pkb United Freeh Association.:! AUCKLAND, July 22. Mr Foynfcon, S.M., gavo judgment in the case against diaries Horace Bctiany, an artist, who was charged with assault on girls. He said that the accused advertised oifice employment for young girls. When the applicants appeared the accused suggested that they would be able to earn additional money by posing for him as artists’ models. Bettany proposed to two girls that they should strip behind a curtain. Both girls declined. They were there separately. Bettany then measured one girl outside her clothing in different places, around her log in different places, and on her bare skin. The explanation of the accused to each girl was that ho wished to repair a broken statue. This was humbug. Ho was a good artist, and knew well the ' normal measurements of an average woman and of world-famous statues. The action of aroused was a mere pretence to induce girls to submit to his handling. The magistrate said be was convinced that Bettany's advertisements were intended to inveigle girls into his office for that purpose, aigl not to get them employment. The defence was one of consent, but that did not hold where consent was obtained by false or fraudulent misrepresentation. Bettany could have been charged with a graver offence, hub on the facts he would he convicted of assault on hot!) charges. The Chief Detective asked for a remand before sentence was passed till to-morrow, ns he wanted to make inquiries about Bettany. The Magistrate agreed.