INDECENT ASSAULT

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33783, 4 March 1975, Page 10

INDECENT ASSAULT

Nine months gaol Robert John Charles Montgomery, aged 28, a physical training instructor, was gaoled for nine months by Mr Justice Casey in the Supreme Court yesterday on a charge of indecent assault on a girl, aged 17, on April 29. 1974. The sentence of imprisonment is to be followed by one year’s probation. Montgomery was ordered to take psychiatric treatment and counselling as directed. Montgomery was found guilty of the charge by a jury. Evidence was given that Montgomery assaulted the girl in a house after he called to collect bottles to raise funds for a sports organisation.

Mr N. W. Williamson appeared for the Crown. Mr D. J. R. Holderness, for Montgomery, said that the assault had not been of a gravely serious nature. No physical harm had been done to the girl. Montgomery suffered from a deep seated personality disorder and some counselling would be desirable. The probation [officer’s report and testimonials put Montgomery in a favourable light.

His Honour said that the offence had been one of some violence on a young woman in her home who had done nothing to encourage Montgomery or to lead him to believe that he might accept her advances. From the evidence given in Court the offence came close to attempted rape. It was a grave matter and in spite of Mont-1 gomery’s excellent record at] work and in the sporting; field a period of imprison-i ment was called for.