A SHOCKING CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11680, 15 June 1901, Page 6

A SHOCKING CASE.

[v.X TELEGRAPH. —PRESS" ASSOCIATION'.] Invercahcull, Friday. To-day the Supreme Court look two charges arising out of the Wynclham case, in which Barbara Cushnie. a girl of 14. gave birth to a child which was accidentally smothered. Neil Douglas, aged 35, was charged with indecently assaulting the girl on several occasions. The offence was practically admitted, the defence being that he believed her to be over 16. Accused went into the box and stated that his quarters were in a barn, when he was on the girl's father's farm, and that .die came there of her own volition. He thought from her conversation, manner of dress, and her carrying on that she was over 16. Summing up Judge Cooper said it was a terrible case. This girl of 13 seemed to have had her own way, and to some extent developed vicious tendencies. The jury found. Douglas guilty, and His Honor passed a sentence of three years. He took into consideration that the girl did not seem to hive been properly trained, and possibly held out inducement to the accused, but a law had been passed to protect such girls. John Woods, aged 25. charged with the same offence on the same girl, pleaded guilty. His Honor said this case was of an entirely different character. The ruin of the girl could not be laid at Woods' door. The ether prisoner had first debauched the girl, and it was to seme extent because of the offence committed by Douglas that Woods was led into this crime. He thought he would be doing his duty by giving the prisoner a chance to redeem himself, and hoped he would fake advantage of it. Prisoner was admitted to probation for 12 mouths, paying £10 costs.