OFFENCE AGAINST GIRL
RIDER ADDED BY JURY AUCKLAND, Friday Pleading not guilty to a charge of unlawful carnal knowledge and under 16 years, Bertie Bentley, aged 21 (Mr Hubble), appeared for trial before Mr Justice Callan in the Supreme Court to-day. After a brief hearing the jury returned a verdict of guilty, adding a very strong recommendation to mercy. In a rider the jury proposed that the law regarding the age of consent, namely 16 years, be amended as follows:—“That it be left to the jury to decide whether the female, by her physical development, her demeanour and general attitude is sufficiently advanced to give her consent.” His Honour promised that the rider, together with the nature of the case from which it arose, would be brought to the notice of the Minister of Justice. Accused was admitted to probation for two years and was ordered to pay £ls toward the cost of the prosecution.
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Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21035, 10 February 1940, Page 3
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155OFFENCE AGAINST GIRL Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21035, 10 February 1940, Page 3
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