Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1885

Abduction of girl under eighteen with intent to have carnal knowledge.

7. Any person who—

with intent that any unmarried girl under the age of eighteen years should be unlawfully and carnally known by any man, whether such carnal knowledge is intended to be with any particular man, or generally—

takes or causes to be taken such girl out of the possession and against the will of her father or mother, or any other person having the lawful care or charge of her,

shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and being convicted thereof shall be liable at the discretion of the court to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding two years, with or without hard labour.

Provided that it shall be a sufficient defence to any charge under this section if it shall be made to appear to the court or jury that the person so charged had reasonable cause to believe that the girl was of or above the age of eighteen years.