ASSAULT CHARGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 17, 31 October 1938, Page 6

ASSAULT CHARGE

SALESMAN SENT TO GAOL. ONE MONTH’S HARD LABOUR. INCIDENT AT HOUSE DOOR. Charged with having assaulted a little girl at Timvald, Arthur Morris, a middle-aged salesman, was this afternoqn sentenced to one month in gaol with hard labour. Mr*AY. H. Rundlc, J.P., and Air G. Kelly, J.P., were on the Bench, and the Police case was conducted by Detec-tive-Sergeant J. J. AlcClurg. of Christchurch. Accused pleaded guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily.

Detect! ve-Sergear}t AlcClurg stated that on August 22, accused was at Tinwakl going from door to door selling goods. Hp called at a house where he saw <V girl of eight years, who told him there was no one at home. She asked him what he was selling, whereppon accused said, “Come and I will show you.” He opened his bag and. took out some pfptment, which he placed on a sore oil the child’s face. The child alleged that her clothing was interfered with, but accused denied this, though he admitted having picked up the child and kissed her. Accused had: been before the Court previously, and was at present on probation. Accused stated, when handing to the Court a reference from his employers, that the police "had treated: him • very fairly, and he had nothing to say in regard to the case.