SERIOUS CHARGE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 171, 22 July 1941, Page 8

SERIOUS CHARGE

ASSAULT ON MATRON SUSPECT BEFORE COURT Arrested by Detective-Sergeant F. N. Aplin and Detective Irving on a charge relating to an offence which was allegedly committed nearly five years ago, Robert Lindsay Brunton, aged 43, a bushman and labourer, appeared in the Police Court to-day before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. He was charged with assault on September 12, 1936, with intent to commit rape. On the application of DetectiveSergeant Nalder, the suspect was remanded until July 28. This charge recalls an assault in September, 1936, in which the victim was the matron of a college in Epsom. It was alleged at the time that the matron was attacked on a Saturday night in the college grounds and injured in the face and neck by a man who was wearing nothing but his shirt and singlet. She was alone and was about to retire when she heard a knock at the front door. The police were informed that on going to the door through the hall, which was in darkness, she saw a scantily-clad man. She attempted to close the door, but the man allegedly pushed it back and forced his way into the hall, attacking the matron who broke away from him and struggled upstairs with blood streaming from her facial wounds. It was alleged that the man followed her and again attacked her as she slowly climbed the stairs, screaming for help. No doubt fearing that her cries would a'tract attention the assailant desisted, and ran through the open doorway. After the matron had been taken to hospital in an unconscious condition one of the biggest man-hunts » ~ ad be€ ? n carried out by the Auckland police for some vears startedi Nothing more was then heard of the matter.