WOMAN HURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 235, 4 October 1937, Page 8

WOMAN HURT.

CHEMIST'S ASSAULT. FOUR DAYS IN HOSPITAL. "POOR GENTLEMAN," SATS S.M. Remarking that Edward Henry Golding seemed to be a good chemist but a poor gentleman, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., to-day sent Holding to prison for two weeks for assaulting a woman in the early hours of September 25, in a house in Symonds Street.

Golding. aped 34, charged with assaulting Ida Whitelaw, pleaded guilty in the Police Court. He was represented by Mr. J. Gray. "Knew What He Was Doing." Detective-Sergeant McHugh said Golding was separated from his wife, and the complainant, Mrs. Ida Whitelaw, was a divorced woman. They had known each other for about three years and since she had obtained her divorce Mrs. Whitelaw had been on friendly terms with Goldinp. He had been in the habit of visiting her at a Symomls Street house where she had been employed. Some months ago Mrs. Whitelaw decided to break off the friendship with Golding

"But this did not stop Golding," added the detective sergeant. "At times he visited her, when disturbances occurred and the police were called. On Friday, September 24, at 6.40 p.m., Golding telephoned Mrs. Whitelaw and asked her to go out with him, but in refusing she promised to* meet him at a side gate at 7.10 p.m. On her refusing to go out with Golding, he left in a taxi.

"Mrs. Whitelaw retired to bed at midnight, and hi the early hours of the morning she put on her dressing srown and was on her way along the passage when she met Golding. Golding began pushing and punching her, knocking her down. He punished her severely, and she alleges that he kicked her on a number of occasions. Hearing Mrs. Whitelaw's screams, another woman went to her assistance and found Golding kneeling on Mrs. Whitelaw) When the police arrived they found Golding in a half drunken state and very quarrelsome. "Mrs. Whitelaw, who was badly battered, was removed to hospital. Had Been Celebrating. Appearing for accused, Mr. Gray said that on the night in question, which was the eve of the third Rugby Test, Golding had been celebrating with some friends and had been to a party. "He was pa=sin<j the place in Kymonds Street and, seeing the light on in the woman's room, he decided to call upon her," said counsel. "He assures me that he would not have l>een in any trouble had he not found another man there. There was a quarrel and the woman got mixed up in it. After the other man had decamped, the assault occurred. Golding is extremely sorry and now realises the gravity of the offence. When sober he is quite a respectalde member of the community."

"Justice might be met by the imposition of a fine, your Worship," said Mr. Gray. "I don't think so," said the magistrate. "The whole circumstances show this was a cowardly assault. There are no mitigating efrcumstances." Golding was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment.