Jury Finds Patea Man Guilty On Two Charges Of Indecent Assault

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1950, Page 7

Jury Finds Patea Man Guilty On Two Charges Of Indecent Assault

After a retirement of three hours, 41 minutes, a jury in the Supreme Court, Wanganui, last night, found William Henry Sedgman, aged 61, a cleaner employed at the Patea Freezing Works, not guilty of two charges of indecently assaulting Vvo girls aged eight years at Patea on September 24, last, but guilty on two charges of indecently assaulting the same children at Patea on October 7. Prisoner was remanded by Mr Justice Hay till this morning for sentence. The foreman of the jury, Mr W. J. Benson, read the followingz rider: “The jury were annalled at the nature of the evidence as submitted during the hearing and suggest to the proper authorities that they take steps to bring before the public the gravity of these cases.” In reply to His Honour, th.e foreman said that this question was one for education in schools. His Honour: I suggest, then, that I might bring this matter under the natice of the Minister of Justice. Thanking the jury, His Honour said that he thoroughly agreed with the verdict. “One is encouraged by the efforts of a jury such as this in doing justice znd has continued faith in the jurv system,” His Honour added. Accused had pleaded not guilty to all four charges and the trial, which hogan on Monday, lasted all yesterday. Tho jury retired at 5.49 p.m. and returned with its verdict at 9.30 p.m. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr N. R. Bain, conducted the case for the Crown and accused was represented by Mr S. G. Cathro (Patea).