1932 Present : Drieberg J.

LEEMBRUGGEN v. SILVA.

 27-M.C. Colombo, 10,053.

Vagrants Ordinance -Soliciting in a public place-Illicit intercourse- Ordinance No. 4 of 1841, s. 7 (1) (a).

The expression "illicit" in section 7 (1) (a) of the Vagrants Ordinance means irregular and improper according to the ordinary standard of morals.

APPEAL from a conviction by the Municipal Magistrate of Colombo.

Iyer, for accused, appellant.

Wendt, C.C., for respondent.

May 31, 1932. DRIEBERG J.-

The evidence is that the respondent and another Police Inspector who were in civil clothes halted their car at night in Norris Canal road; the appellant came up to them and offered to get them two women for Rs. 5 each and he later brought two women to their car. The appellant was convicted under section 7 (1) (a) of the Vagrants Ordinance, No. 4 of 1841, which is an amendment effected by Ordinance No. 21 of 1919, of having solicited the respondent in a public place for the purpose of an act of illicit intercourse. He appeals from this conviction.

The conviction was questioned on several grounds but the only one I need deal with is this. Mr. Iyer contended t