CHEMIST CHARGED WITH USING INSTRUMENT

Southland Times, Issue 23443, 25 February 1938, Page 3

CHEMIST CHARGED WITH USING INSTRUMENT

COMMITTED TO SUPREME COURT FOR TRIAL (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 24. Charged with unlawfully using an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage, Otto Robert Lahman, a chemist, aged 50, of Wellington, appeared before Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court. After an allday hearing accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence and was committed to the Supieme Court for trial. Bail was allowed conditional on accused reporting daily to the police. The Magistrate suppressed the girl’s name until the. Supreme Court hearing. The girl concerned said her age was 23. She kept company with a Chinese and was engaged to him. She alleged the operation on her was performed by the accused in a room at a Chinese place on the comer of Taranaki and Vivian streets on December 10. Constable F. Thomson said he had interviewed the accused, who denied he had performed an illegal operation on any white girl in any Chinese house. Witness produced a statement signed by accused which further denied the allegation. Witness was invited to search a room in a house in Broomhead street, which the accused occupied. In a fireplace which was about halffull of partly-burned paper and old clothing was found an instrument produced earlier in the case.