CHARGE OF BIGAMY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11783, 20 March 1924, Page 8

CHARGE OF BIGAMY

ACCUSED PLEADS GUILTY. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. A charge of bigamy was brought against a man named Stanley Hodgkins, alias Harold William Ethelton, at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr E. Page, S.M. The accused was represented by Mr W. Perry. In the course of evidence it was stated by the brother of the accused’s first wife that she had lived with the accused as man and wife in different parts of the country. Recent letters written by her were submitted as proof that the first wife was still alive. The second woman with whom the accused went through a form of marriage testified to having married the accused at the Registry Office, Christchurch. The meeting between them, said .the witness, had been by accident, but the friendship had ripened, and they kept company until witness became pregnant.. She then asked the accused to marry her. He at first refused, hut persistence on her part caused Him to agree to the marriage. They then came to Wellington to live. After police evidence had been given, a plea of guilty was entered by counsel, and the accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. A further charge against Hodgkins of failing to maintain his wife was adjOtfffied for a fortnight.