YOUNG GIRL'S STORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 99, 28 April 1922, Page 6

YOUNG GIRL'S STORY.

HE TIEXED TO KISS ME." | ASSAULT CHARGE DISMISSED. Patrick Joseph o'"Brien was charged at the Police Court to-day "vith having assaulted a girl aged 10l Tne compianaut. a pretty, well-spoken girl, stated that she had been empioye.l 'by the accused in the office of what wa* known as "The People's Publicity Proprietary." Mining Chambers. At about 1 p.m. ,-.n i\larch 17 she was sent a mes- ' sage by Farland. accused's partner, when ' she met accused cm the top of the .' stairs. He asked where she was going. - and when she told him he put his arm ' around her waist and pulled her along the passage towards the office door, trying to kiss her the while. Then he told her to come straight hack from her ' message and ' .he would get Farland out ■ of the office." She then went and complained to a Mrs. Reeves, who had an oSEce on the same Soor, and later, Mr. ' Reeves spoke to the accused, saying he , would not have tir's sort of tSiincr as he was an old friend of complainant's father. Accused, who appeared not to ibe sober when he caught hold of her, i denied having interfered with her. and said if he had he did not know It at the ' . time. , i O'Brien i who was defended by Mr. Learyi gave a general denial of the ' girl's allegation, stating- that she had neglected her duty and that he had | ' simply laid his hand on her shoulder and ordered her back into the office to ' attend to the telephone. He was not drank and altogether denied having ' tried to kiss complainant. He discharged her that day. After hearing Mr. Leary. the Magis-; ' j trate said he had some doubt about the' . matter. It was possible that, rhe girl | . had become hysterical and fancied | I things. , The case was dismissed. i '