THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 18, 1994 TAG: 9408180532
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: JODY R. SNYDER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
The wife of a Carrsville physician pleaded guilty to two charges of aiding and abetting the sale of alcohol to a minor on Wednesday, while her husband avoided prosecution on nine charges in the same incident by signing a consent order.
Isle of Wight Circuit Court Judge Rodham T. Delk fined 42-year-old Catherine Bidwell $2,000 and ordered her to serve 15 days of community service by Nov. 14.
After a Halloween party held at their home on Oct. 23, Bidwell and her husband, Dr. Glenn P. Bidwell, 48, were charged with eight counts each of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Each also was charged with one count of aiding and abetting the sale of alcohol to a minor.
Both charges are Class I misdemeanors, carrying a maximum penalty of a $2,500 fine and a year in jail.
The Bidwells were accused of allowing their 17-year-old son to sell beer at the party, a violation of state liquor laws.
Glenn Bidwell was not prosecuted after he signed a consent order, promising that no more parties at which juveniles could buy or consume alcohol would be held at his Willow Lane residence. If the terms of the order are not followed, Bidwell could be fined 5,000.
Commonwealth's Attorney W. Parker Councill said there were 50 to 75 people between ages 14 and 21 at the party.
Investigators said the party apparently was an annual event and that no problems had been reported in the past.
``When he agreed to a consent order, that no further conduct like this would be held at his residence, we agreed not to prosecute Mr. Bidwell on all nine charges,'' Councill said.
Authorities said they were told about the party when a young girl told Isle of Wight deputies she had been sexually assaulted at the party by a teenage boy.
The boy was charged in Juvenile Court, according to Sheriff Charles W. Phelps.
Investigators from the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board said they interviewed dozens of people who attended the party.
``However well-meaning, making alcohol available to teens is not acceptable and will not be accepted,'' Councill said.
Dr. Bidwell is a general practice physician in Franklin. His wife manages a gift shop at Southampton Memorial Hospital, according to court records.
KEYWORDS: CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR by CNB