ABDUCTION CHARGE

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 85, 13 May 1929, Page 8

ABDUCTION CHARGE

OLD- AGE PENSIONEE IN COUKT* COMAIITTED FOR TRIAL. Charged with liaving, on Mareh 23 last, taken from the lawful custody of her fatlier, an unmarried girl under 10 years of age, and witliout his consent, to the intent of a scrious crinie, an eidcrly man, Alexander McKee. appeared at the IVairoa Magistrate's Court before Mr P. H. Harper, S.M. The prosecution was condueted by Sergeant Quayle. Mr E. J. Green appearing for tlio dei'ence. In outJining tlie case, Sergeant Quayle stated that accused was aaold age pensioner, wlio had lived at Wairoa for some time. He had known Ihe girl for some time, and on tlie oceasion in question induced ber to go to Napier. in a car, wliere tliey stayed at two different hotels, and at one of tbem tliey occupied separatc rootns. At thc Clarendon he gave tbe girl's name as McKee, and said slie was his nicce. He had given lier many presents. On oue oecasion sbe found liim in lier room at midniglit. Wlien asked wliat he was doing tliere, be got up and went to his own room. Tbe girl's fatlier stated tliat when h® found that she was missing he made inquiries, and informed tbe police, who brought ber back. Accused had frequently stopped the girl and her sister on the way from town and given money and sweets, and that was witness' prineipal objection to liim. Accused knew her age and witness had never given permission to take tho girl away. In giving evidence, the girl stated that when going home from cliurch on Marcli 2S, she met accused, who asked lier if slic would like a trip to Napier, and she said that sbe would. He said he would pay her fare and gave her instructions how to hook a seat, hut had 110 success. Eventually accused secured a seat for himself and lier in a private car being: driven to Napier that day by H. J. Macdonald, Accused told her to go to her home aud get wliat clothes slie wanted (her mother was away at the time), and sbe did so. O11 Teaching Napier tliey got off at tbe Provincial Hotel, or the Criterion, but it was full, and they went 011 to the Central, where rooms 23 and 24 tvere hooked. Accused went for a shave and on returmng was angry because she was talking to some uien at the foot of the stairs. Accused. said he would not stay there, got his money back, and they went to tk8 Clarendon and booked two rooms some distance aparF, gaving tbe names as before. Contimiing, tlie girl said that on Good Friday niglit accused said tbat he was going to betl, and after liaving supper sbe also went to bed but forgot to loek the door. About miclniglit sbe felt someone oif Ihe bed, and asked who it was. Aci cusecl tlien mumbled sometliing and went out to his room. Tlie next inght she and accused returned to Wairoa. Other evidence was submitted, after v/liich Mr Green asked for dismissal on the ground that there was 110. evidence of objection to the girl going to Napier, besides which he contended that she was very untruthful. Tlie magistrate said that he could not agree with Mr Green and held tbat .a prima facie ease had been made out. It was necessary to have the verbal or written consent of tlie parents. Accused pleaded not guilty, and wa# committed to the Supreme Cqurt at Napier for trial.