DOCTOR CONVICTED

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1929, Page 7

DOCTOR CONVICTED

"MENACE TO SOCIETY” MERCY RECOMMENDED 1 (Per Press Association.) , AUCKLAND, ' November 8. The trial of Balder Singh Share, the Indian doctor, on a charge of indecent assault on a girl in his surgery, was continued in the Supreme Court this afternoon. Following on the hearing of Share’s evidence, after luncheon, the foreman of the jury said that they would like to know why Dr Brockway had not been called. His Honor: I do not think that we can discuss that, now at any rate, Mi’ Foreman. Addressing the jury, for the defence, Mi’ Singer described the case as one of the most difficult that had come before the Court. But for those dreadful photographs, no police officer would have prosecuted, and no juryman would convict. But how did those photographs affect the charge made by the Crown? Had some influence been brought to bear upon the girl subsequently ? Mr Meredith said that Mr Singer, with the greatest cleverness, had used the weapon 'of vilification without the slightest justification. His address had been a virulent attack on an innocent girl. '■ In summing up, his Honor said that in New Zealand the public generally, with good reason, had unbounded confidence in the integrity and honesty of the members of the medical profession. Cases of breach of that confidence were very rare. It was necessary that the jury should make up its mind as to the character of the principal witness put forward by the Crown. Did she leave the impression that she was truthful? His Honor drew attention to the improper nature of the remarks admittedly made by accused to the girl. Undoubtedly some of the photographs, if they were shown to the girl, were scandalous and shocking beyond expression. With regard to some that accused admitted showing her, they must ask themselves if any decent human being would show them to any respectable girl. Reference had been made to Dr Brockway, but he did not see that Dr Brockway had anything to do with the case at all.

A verdict of guilty was returned by the jury to-night. The jury added a recommendation to mercy on the ground that, in its opinion, the prisoner was a sexual pervert. The jury retired at five o’clock, and shortly before nine o’clock to-night it returned.

'“We find the prisoner guilty as a menace to society,” said the Foreman. Some discussion followed as to what the verdict meant, and, at Judge Herdman’s directions, the jury again retired, returning in a quarter of an hour with a verdict of “guilty,” together* with the recommendation mentioned.

Sentence was deferred until Monday.