A YOUNG WOMAN'S CRIME.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13747, 9 September 1908, Page 5

A YOUNG WOMAN'S CRIME.

CONVICTED OF ABANDONING: Per Pteea AssoelatUn. PALMERSTON, N., Sept. 8. Letitia Broad, who was recently arrested on a charge of abandoning a child by leaving it in a coal box in Wariganui, was before Mr Justice Chapman at the Supreme Court i here to-day. Evidence was given by the child's mother showing that she had paid accused- £40 for the adoption of the child and also some smaller sums. The man and „wife who j found .the baby gave evidence. Alice Bowman, matron of the Karitane Home, Dunedin, who deposed as to the health of the child while in that institution. Accused, who was visibly affected throughout the proceedings said that she had left the child in the box with., the intention of returning and recover- ' ing it, and had gone back for that purpose, but found it bad been removed. Corroborative evidence was given to this. Accused said she had adopted the child as- a companion for her own baby, but found it impossible to keep it, and took it to Wanganui with the idea of leaving it in a home there. Thft. jury returned, a verdict of guilty, but made a very strong recommendation to mercy on the ground of the youth of the acdused, who is only nineteen years old. The jury was unanimous in recommending the granting of probation. > -His .Honour said that was impossible. He deferred sentence till to-morrow. , - „^, _____ , • j