Committals On Serious Charges

Northern Advocate, 28 July 1939, Page 9

Committals On Serious Charges

[Per Press Association. —Copyright .l NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday.

Arguments that the charges should be dismissed were not accepted by Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., at New Plymouth last night, when he found a prima facie case had been proved against a business man alleged to have unlawfully supplied a married woman with noxious things, to wit, pills and medicines, with intent to procure a miscandage. Accused was committed for trial. His name fvvas again suppressed, and he was readmitted to bail of £2OO. There were three informations, the first alleging that accused caused the woman to take certain noxious things, the second that he supplied 1 them, and the third that he attempted to supply. Evidence of visits to accused’s shop was given by the woman concerned, who was the woman involved in a case heard against another New Plymouth resident earlier in the day. Mr. I. W. B. Roy, counsel for accused, asked the magistrate to dismiss the charges on the ground that the evidence was not sufficient to put a man on his trial, but Mr. Woodward held that a prima facie case had been established.

Earlier in the day a Netw Plymouth business man -was charged that he unlawfully used an instrument or other means with intent to procure the miscarriage of a woman on July 14. Accused denied the charge, and was committed by Mr. Woodward for trial in the Supreme Court. Supression of accused’s name and bail of £3OO were granted. Suppression of the name of the woman concerned and that of her husband was also ordered.