SEXUAL OFFENCES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11764, 31 July 1916, Page 5

SEXUAL OFFENCES

GRAND JURY'S RECOMMENDATION. SEGREGATION OR OPERATION. Three of the four charges listed for hearing at to-day's sitting of tho criminal session of the Supreme Court were concerned with soxual offences. When the Grand Jury was discharged, having returned true bills in each instance, .tJie foreman (Mr H. J. Marriner) laid tho following recommendation before his Honor Mr Justice Denniston, who presided:— " It is considered by the Grand Jury in view of , the fact that offences against children of both sexes appear to be on the increase, and that Euch crimes are committed even in the public streets during daylight, it is [ unanimously recommended to the 1 authorities that some action should be taken by which either the acc*ased is ' retained in custody under inspection by the medical profession, And when such cases aro incurable consideration should |be given to the advisability of an I operation to render such degenerates i harmless. Wo ask your Honor's care--1 ful consideration of the above opinion, J as we consider it most important, and would kindly ask you that it forwarded to the proper authorities." His Honor said that legislation could not deal with all cases, each of which I had to be decided on its merits. HowI ever, he was in accord with the gen- | eral principle of the jury's recoromen- , dation.