WOMAN’S BIGAMY

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 April 1937, Page 2

WOMAN’S BIGAMY

PROBATION GRANTED [per press association.] AUCKLAND, April 15. •‘1 would not like the impression to go abroad that the Court takes the view that bigamy cannot be a. serious offence when committed by a woman,” said Mr. Justice Callan in the Supreme Court when sentencing' Jean Moore on a charge of bigamy, to which she had pleaded guilty. His Honor said that bigamy by a woman was just as serious as it was when committed by a man. A very important thing to consider, was whether the other person had been deceived. This young woman had made a long statement to detectives which had made a favourable impression on him. and which rang true. According to that statement the man who had brought lho information had not been deceived. He, however, said he had been. Had she been represented by competent counsel in the Lower Court, his Honor said, he felt sure the man would have been very vigorously cross-ex-amined. The woman was now living with her lawful husband and her children, and'the Court was not satisfied that she had deceived anybody. Probation had been recommended and would lie granted for two years on the usual conditions.