ATTEMPTED CARNAL KNOWLEDGE

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 6

ATTEMPTED CARNAL KNOWLEDGE

OFFENDER GRANTED PROBATION Commenting that it was only with considerable hesitation that he adopted the recommendation of the probation officer, Mr Justice Smith admitted George Rankin Aston (29) to probation for 18 months in the Supreme Court to-day for attempted carnal knowledge. Mr G. J, L. White, who represented the accused, said he was a first offender. There were one or two unusual features about this case, said counsel. The girl concerned was a full-blooded Maori, and Aston himself had Maori blood. The girl was within six weeks of being 16 years of age at the time of the offence. The accused was separated from his wife, and when he was interviewed by the police about his act he was frank and truthful. Counsel stressed that the offence involved an attempt only, and he added that the probation officer, he believed, had recommended probation. “ Let this be a lesson to you,” said His Honour, to Aston. “ You have a weakness evidently as far as women are concerned.” fn admitting the accused to probation the Judge ordered Aston to pay the cost of the prosecution (£3 7s) within three mouths.