Youth And Girl For Trial On Assault Count

Press, Volume C, Issue 29487, 13 April 1961, Page 5

Youth And Girl For Trial On Assault Count

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND. April 12. A 19-year-old workman, Leslie Ellis Katana, and a 17-year-old Auckland typist were today committed for trial in the Supreme Court on May 2. on a joint charge of assault onan 81-year-old storekeeper. Herbert Austin O'Gara, with intent to rob. O'Gara spent 10 days in hospital. Depositions were taken today in the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland before Messrs J. M. Goodall and L. R. Waygood. J.P.’s. Ratana pleaded not guilty to the charge and the girl pleaded guilty. Katana was remanded in < custody and the girl was al- , lowed bail. An order for the suppression of her name : was made. O’Gara said in evidence that Ratana and the girl bought soft drinks and then : left his store. Ratana re- i turned and asked for bis-

cuits. When witness bent down to get them Ratana put his arms around his neck asking for money. After a while he said he would get the money and they went to the back of the store where Ratana threatened him with a claw hammer when he attempted to get into the yard. As they were coming back to the shop witness slammed the door on Ratana. Ratana came out and caught him and there was a scuffle before Ratana threw him to the floor. Ratana and the girl then fled. Three children gave evidence of seeing a man struggling with O’Gara. One child said he saw Ratana hitting O'Gara on the head with a hammer. A fingerprint expert. Sergeant B. C. Revell, said fingerprints on soft drink bottles in the store were those of Ratana and the girl.

Soccer Colours There was no wearing of the green for the Shamrock senior soccer team when it turned out against Technical at English Park last Saturday. Shamrock appeared in the second half in Canterbury red and black because it was decided that its own colours were too much like Technical’s—a rather darker green. Although there has been criticism for some years of too great a similarity between the colours of certain clubs, this was the first time that spectators could remember seeing Shamrock in anything but its usual green. Shamrock had to change rather than Technical, because Technical . was the older club.