HUSBAND ACQUITTED ON RARE CHARGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22696, 22 July 1948, Page 6

HUSBAND ACQUITTED ON RARE CHARGE

(P.A.) PALMERSTON N.. July 21. A verdict of not guilty on charges of indecent assault and of common assault on his wife at Tangimoana on May 29 was returned by a jury after the case against Harold James Arnott. aged 38, farm labourer, Tangimoana, was heard in the Supreme Court. Mr. Justice Stanton presided. Mr. G. I. McGregor appeared for the Crown and Mr. A. W. Yortt for the accused. An order suppressing publication of the evidence was made by His Honour. Mr. Yortt said the case was unusual and difficult to decide. _ Husband and wife were not compatible, and as a means of improving , her case this woman had taken an incident to the police. Now her husband, a fond father and a thrifty man, found himself in a criminal court. The normal procedure was to take such matters to the Magistrates’ Court and obtain a separation order, and this course was still open to the wife.

Should accused be found guilty, counsel said, what acts would husbands be called upon to answer by disgruntled wives? His Honour said he would be surprised if accused's act was not regarded as indecent by the jury. The jury reached its verdict after a retirement of 28 minutes.