SERIOUS CHARGES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 271, 14 October 1927, Page 8

SERIOUS CHARGES.

PLEA OF GUILTY ENTERED

Six charges alleging indecent assaults on girls from four to ten years of age and ranging over a period from January to the present month were preferred against Alfred Victor Voyce, 30 years of age, at the Police Court this morning. Messrs W. G. Ashworth and D. J. Lovelock, J.P.’s-, were on the bench. Mr Ongley appeared for accused, and Senior-Detective Quirke conducted tho prosecution. At the request of the latter, the court was cleared. Evidence was then given by the children concerned. Four of the incidents allegedly took place in Palmerston North, and the other two at Kelvin Grove. One child said that accused had threatened to murder her if she screamed out. All recognised accused as the man who had assaulted them. Constable Gillard stated that, in consequence of a telephone message, he had proceeded to North Street Park on October 1, where he had found accused detained by two men. Voyce had been taken to the police station and, on enquiries being completed, he was later arrested.

Detective Russell deposed that accused had yesterday made a statement in the presence of liis solicitor that he wished to plead guilty to four of the offences. Later accused had told witness that he would plead guilty to all six charges. Subsequently, lie made signed statements regarding the incidents surrounding each offence. He had expressed regret for what he had done and had given as the only explanation for his actions the fact that he had been under the influence of liquor on each occasion. This concluded-the case for the police whereupon accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court at Wellington for sentence.