Witness changes evidence

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34104, 17 March 1976, Page 22

Witness changes evidence

(N.Z. Pi ess Association) )| WANGANUI. March 16. > A witness told the 1 Supreme Court at Wanga* 1 nui today that the complainant in rape charges against members of the Mongrel Mob, of Taumarunui, had not told the truth. j Nine members of the gang I are charged with rape and lone with attempted rape. I One is also charged with indecent assault, and another .with stealing the driver's •licence of the 18-year-old complainant. The trial is before Mr Justice Beattie and an allmale jury. Charles Patrick Pahi, a Istoreman, of Wellington, I said that 15 or 16 members of the Mongrel Mob were al 'a party in Taumarunui when he arrived The complainant was , there with her boy friend. ; 'but he saw her kiss one of ;the accused. He identified five of the accused who had intercourse ' with the complainant, but he I could not remember her saying anything. But he saw one of the I accused hit her over the head ' • when she refused to perform ' an act on him He said that he did not 1 have intercourse with the • complainant before the * alleged rape, but later, in reply to his Honour. Pahi' 'changed his evidence to say that he had had intercourse ; with the complainant. He said that the complainant was not telling the truth, when she said that she did not kiss, undress, and have ! intercourse with him. j t Rugby.—The Wellington rugbx S club side Athletic scored 12 f tries in over powering West Coast R 3-7 in Los Angeles at the ’ week-end. The Americans plaxed I well in the first half, holding ■, Athletic to a'n IS-4 lead at halltime. t