Magistrate’s Court Charge Of Assault Dismissed

Press, Volume C, Issue 29634, 3 October 1961, Page 11

Magistrate’s Court Charge Of Assault Dismissed

A charge against Toti Rangitonga, aged 26, a grader and truck driver, of assaulting his de facto wife on September 23 was dismissed by Mr E. S. J. Crutch ley, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Rangitonga, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr R. G. Blunt. Sergeant G. A. Agnew said he was on his way home from work when he witnessed the incident. Rangitonga kicked the woman when she was on the ground and then dragged her on to the lawn where she was kicked again. He then dragged her across the lawn, over a pile of rubble and into the house. He went into the house where he found Rangitonga taking a shower in a lean-to at the back of the house. 'Hie girl was lying on the floor cringing in fear and she was bleeding from the mouth. Sergeant Agnew said the woman had been discharged from a maternity hospital three weeks before. The woman declined to make a complaint. The woman, whose name was suppressed, in evidence, denied she was kicked. She said Riangitonga had slapped her with his open hand and had dragged her inside by the collar. She got the blood

on her mouth when she lost her balance and slipped over. "There is no doubt in my mind that the sergeant saw what happened,” said the Magistrate. "The question is the degree of force used. The woman claims that she consented to be treated that way and that it was a matter of fun and games. The Court must take that into account, though that does not necessarily mean that it believes her. As there is some douli the charge will be dismissed." DRUNK AND DISORDERLY On a charge of using obscene language in the bar of the Lancaster Park Hotel on September 39, Andrew Callinan, aged 35, was fined £lO. On a charge of being drunk and disorderly on the same day he was fined £5. Callinan pleaded guilty to both charges. The prosecutor, Sergeant V. F. Townshend, said Callinan had been seen by a constable leaning against the bar in an intoxicated condition. When Callinan saw the constable he used obscene language. Callinan wanted to fight all. and sundry. He threw a glass behind the bar, and threw the contents of a lemonade bottle over persons near the bar. “I was unjustly accused in Court on Friday,” Callinan said, “and I was celebrating in a stupid way. lam very sorry about it.” YOUTH FINED £lO Heading guilty to a charge of being drunk and disorderly in Cathedral Square on September 30, Selwyn Maurice Hills, aged 17, a Jkerterer, ww fined £lO. The Matfetrate told Hißs that with ids record he was bending for Boretai if be did not improve ids conduct. BORSTAL SENTENCE Ibe theft committed by Brie Bevan Roeewume, seven hours before be wee due to appear in foe Magistrate's Count on September 7, had been committed because Roswwwne thought be would receive Boratai training from foe Court, said Mr B. J. Dmke. Roeewarae, who appeared for sentence on chargee of mopbreaking and theft, was rent to Borstal TM Maglatrate said Borewarne obviously was in need of discipline and training. ABSENT FROM SKIP Pater William Gowan (Mr J. R. Woodward) pleaded guilty to a charge of being absent without have from a «t*P at Auckland on September 11. He wu convicted and ordered to be detained Until placed aboard, ship. REMANDED Wayne Maurice Carstairs, aged 20. and Robert Marehall WUttamoon, aged 30, were remanded to October 18 on charges of housebreaking and theft on September 11. Both pleaded not guilty and elected trial by jury. Bail was renewed. On a further charge of theft on August 29, WWemaon was remanded to October 18. John Ethelbert Bradley, aged 71, wm remanded to October 9 on a charge of Indecent assault on a male on September 30. Robert Lester Syme, aged 45, a company director (Mr A. J. Anderson), was remanded to October 0 on 34 charges, which included false pretences, failing to account, theft, aggravated assault, presenting a firearm and Sergeant Townshend asked that 23 of the original 57 charges against Syme, be withdrawn. Other charges were, substituted for those withdrwwTL On a charge of indecent assault on a male on September 80, Raymond Cecil Stoker, aged 30, was remanded on ball to October 9. A man whoae name was mpprecaed was remanded on bail to October 0 on a charge of theft of £5O as a servant David Baden Flutey, aged 22, was remanded on bail to October 9 on charges of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs and reckless driving cm the Main South road, between Rakala

and Burnham, on September 23. (Before Mr K. A. Lee, S M.) THREE WEEKS’ GAOL “Regardless of your relations to the woman, your actions and words were the lowest order of human relations,” the Magistrate told George Howard Andrews, aged 43, a cleaner, when he appeared for sentence on charges of using obscene language over the telephone and making improper use of a telephone an August 0. Andrews was sentenced to three weeks' imprisonment on the first charge and on the second he was discharged. He was convicted on both charges on September 23. Mr R. G. Blunt, who represented the defendant, said Andrews had been completely disillusioned regarding his relations to the woman ha had apoken to on the telephone. When sentencing Andrews, the Magistrate warned him that if he offended again be would be liable to 13 months* imprisonment.