ABDUCTED GIRL

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 August 1929, Page 4

ABDUCTED GIRL

(Per Press Association.) NELSON, August 29. On a charge of abducting a 16£-year-old girl, Devellie Thomas Martin, Ellis Corcoran was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard la-1 bour. In imposing sentence, Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.M., said: “There is no doubt that the girl’s conduct calls for strong condemnation. It was just about as disgraceful as it was inexplicable. It is to be hoped that her experience will prove a lesson to her, but, if it does not, then she is moving towards the ruination of her life.” “On the other hand (continued the Magistrate), that is no mitigation of the accused’s offence. The law has in mind the protection of young girls from their own foolishness and ignorance.” He was satisfied that when the accused took the girl for what he called a ‘joy ride,’ he had improper intentions towards her. It was true that he did not gain his object, and had ho done so, the Magistrate said he would have dealt with him much more severely. At the same time, he must impose a sentence as a deterrent to that debased class of man, who did not consider it. a crime to act in such a manner towards young girls.”

Security for appeal was fixed at £lO.