ABDUCTION CHARGE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10377, 7 April 1927, Page 6

ABDUCTION CHARGE

MAN AND GIRL ELOPE

SEPARATED AT WELLINGTON

GIRL A VAGRANT

DUNEDIN, April 6. At the Magistrate’s Court at Clyde last night, Arthur Qjril Bond was charged with, on Maicn 3 at Clvde, abducting an unman led rrirl under the age of IS years, with intent to unlawfully and carnally know her. .. Mr D. J. Simpson, of Dunedin, appeared for the accused, who elected to be tried Hy jury. Evidence was given by the mother and father of the girl to the effect that no consent was given, nor nacl they any knowledge that their daughter intended to run away. George Frye, a motor proprietor, o-ave evidence that he was hired by Bond, and took him and the girl in a car to Oamaru where they arrived about 6 a.m. Bond could not get change of a £oo note to pay for the hire,” so they proceeded to Glenavy where he left them. Bond said to the girl just before his (Frye’s) departure that she could go back in the car if she wished to. Tlie girl in the case denied that intimacy had taken place, neither had accused ever suggested anything of the kind. Accused had given her alxmt £lO altogether, and she had left nim at Wellington where they had stayed at the same hotel as Miss Dale and Mr Harris. They occupied separate rooms. Counsel submitted that it was not a case that should be sent to the Supreme Court. There was no suggestion of carnal knowledge. The girl had told Bond that she wanted to go away, and lie had consented to let her accompany him. Bond >v a § certainly not guilty of abduction.

Mr Dixon said there was a case to answer and he committed the defendant to the Supreme Court fit Dunedin.

Accused pleaded not guilty, and reserved Pis defence. The girl in the ease was convicted on a charge of vagrancy and was ordered to come up for sentence at anv time in the next two years. P.IA.