WOMAN PURSUED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 197, 20 August 1940, Page 6

WOMAN PURSUED.

REMUERA SENSATION.

STRUGGLE IN VICARAGE.

Following a struggle at St. Aidan's Vicarage, Ascot Avenue, Reniuera, early last evening, after a. young woman had gone there to escape from a man who had pursued her, Brendan Christopher O'Neil, aged 24. a seaman, was - arrested by Constable Rushton. This morning he was sent to prison l>y Mr. C- R. Orr Walker, S.M., for assaulting the young woman. O'Neil, in addition to being charged with assault, was charged with disorderly bchavioiir while drunk and wilfully damaging a leadlight window to' the e,\tent of £1, the of St. Aidan's vestry," thereby committing miscliief. Mr. Aekins appeared for O'Neil, who pleaded guilty to all charges. Lying on Footpath. At-6.2.j last evening, said Senior Sergeant Joyce, a young woman was walking along Ascot Avenue to catch a tram in Reniuera Road when sho had to pass O'Neil. who was lying on tlie footpath. He asked her to stop, but she continued on. O'Neil then- got up and followed her. The young woman ran into the vicarage and was i ln.itted by Canon R. L. Connolly. Then O'Neil went fo the front door of tlic»vicarage and commenced to bang on the leadlight windows. When the door Was opened he made a rush at tho girl, who was at that time standing-in the hall. "When Canon Connolly and his son tried to get O'Neil out, there was a severe struggle," added Senior Sergeant Joyce. "Eventually they got him out into the road. In the meantime Constable Rushton, who had beeil summoned, arrived, and with the assistance of Canon Connollv and his son he arrested the accused."

Senior Sergeant Joyce said O'Neil caused damage to the extent of £1. O'Neil had a list of previous convictions i id he was at present on probation. Mr. Orr Walker: Did he strike the young woman? Senior Sergeant Joyce: No. sir. Although he never actuallv put hi* hands on her, he threatened her by chasing her. That, ot course, constitutes an assault. "Ideal Husband." Mr. Aekins said O'Neil was a married man and was employed on a coastal vessel and earned £21 per month. Ho was an ideal husband," and gave his wife all his money, \esterdav afternoon, after lie had finished laying some linoleum he foolishly drank some brandy and wine which was in the house. Feeling ill, _ he went outside, and afteV that O'Neil said he did not remember what happened until he was arrested. O'Neil .had Kept the terms of his probation, one of which prohibited him from entering licensed premises. . Counsel pointed out that O'Neil got the liquor from his home and had not been in an hotel. If given a, chance, he was prepared to take out a prohibition.order. He was very sorry for what lie had done and Was full of contrition.

After perusing O'Xeil's list the magistrate remarked that a good deal of drunkenness was mixed up with his pre vious convictions. "However. I notice that lie lias been leniently treated in the past and that lie has never betwi *to said Mr. Walker. "On the charge of assault he will be sentenced to olio month's imprisonment. We can't have that sort of thing happening in the public street."' \ On each of the other two charges O'Neil was fined £2. He was ordered to pay .t'l for the damage done.