Man raped and murded Ronda Bain, Crown says

Press, 11 April 1978, Page 3

Man raped and murded Ronda Bain, Crown says

A man took an 11-year-old girl, stripped her clothes from her, tied her to a tree stump, raped her and then strangled her and covered her body with leaves, it was alleged in the Magistrate’s Court at Ashburton yesterday. The body of the girl, Ronda Elizabeth Bain, was found by the police two days later. lan Roger Harding, aged 20, married, a farm hand, of Westerfield, is charged with the rape and murder of the girl at Westerfield on February 6. The taking of depositions began yesterday before Mr J. D. Kinder, S.M. Mr S. G. Erber, with him Mr D. J. Holderness, appears for the defence. Mr N. W. Williamson, with him Mr B. M. Stanaway, appears for the Crown.

Harding, a slight, bearded man, appeared in court accompanied by a police constable. He showed little emotion as the first of 24 prosecution witnesses gave their evidence.

Ronda Bain’s father, Robert Andrew Bain, a Westerfield farmer, said it was a rule that his children had to be at their Timaru Track home by 6 p.m. each day. Ronda was usually prompt. On February 6 his three children helped cart hay and Ronda helped shift some ewes.

Two young friends arrived to play with his children and later that afternoon he saw Ronda riding her pony, Red Legend. After milking his cow he found Ronda was not home so he telephoned some neighbours and began a search.

The pony was found on Siberia Road, tied to a fence. Its stirrups were at riding length, whereas Ronda usually lifted them when leaving the ar.imal. Mr Bain said the accused, Harding, was among those who had joined the search. Harding worked on Mr Armstrong’s farm nearby. The police were called and the search continued into darkness without result, Mr Bain said.

To Mr Erber, he said his daughter was a competent horsewoman, even at the gallop. A girt, aged 12, whose name was suppressed, said she went to the Bain home with her brother on February 6. They had a swim and played with the Bain child-

ren. They rode Red Legend about the place before going home about 3.30 p.m. They shared the rides on the horse, but took the long way home because people were working at the plantation in Siberia Road. They rode round that area, the girl said. She did not see the accused or Mr Armstrong’s truck. Ronda was at her home for about 10; minutes before starting back, the girl said.

The 12-year-old girl’s father said he had known Harding for about two years and found him quiet, and a good worker and neighbour. But he felt he was difficult to converse with, the .witness said. Robert William Gooseman,; a farmer, said Ronda Bain often visited his home. She was quiet, well behaved, a little shy, but very competent on her pony. Harding had arrived at his farm about 6.20 p.m. in a Datsun truck, witness said. Harding asked if he had seen Ronda and said he had seen her pony on Siberia Road. Mr Gooseman said Harding had looked troubled, and said he had spoken to the girl about 90 minutes before.

The witness, Harding, and Harding’s wife had gone to Siberia Road where they found the horse with its stirrups down and one leg through the trailing reins.

Harding said he had seen the girl earlier and mentioned her and her friend by name.

He said Ronda Bain had been riding near his end of the plantation “at a fair belt.”

lan Thomas Armstrong said he employed the accused as a farm labourer. He was a hard worker.

Mr Armstrong said that when he joined the search for Ronda ißain he saw Harding there, but he did not talk at length with him. After the search ended, for the day, the Hardings joined him for supper. The accused mentioned having seen a girl and her horse. He and Harding searched again the next day and later the accused went away with the police. At 4 a.m. on the day after that, Inspector P. S. Seaman called and told him Harding had been arrested. Mavis Jessie Chisnail, of Timaru Track Road, said that when she joined the search

lin Siberia Road on February 6 she asked Harding what he and Ropda Bain had talked about.

Harding had replied that they spoke of nothing much. He then moved off to join other searchers, she said. Detective R. W. Thurston, who was with' the Ashburton C. 1.8. in February, said he led a police party to the windblown plantation on Siberia Road. He asked the accused several questions. Harding said he was standing by a wooden gate near the end of the plantation when Ronda Bain approached on horseback. They exchanged small talk, Harding said the girl then rode off towards Simpsons Road. She had told him she had to be home by 6 p.m. The next day Detective Thurston was in charge of a party which searched the plantation without success. The group then searched paddocks near the Bain property. Harding offered and drove a flat-deck truck which took the searchers to where they were dropped off.

While in the truck With him, witness was assured that the girl could be found if she was in the plantation. Detective Thurston said he assumed that Harding had the benefit of local knowledge. However, he later asked Harding to drive back to Siberia Road to pick up any late arrivals for the search and drop them off before rejoining the ground search himself. He did not do so and was later found at the Gooseman property.

Graham Robin Jones, a storehand, of Chertsey, said he was a brown belt holder at judo. Harding held an orange belt and regularly helped the witness instruct members of the local club. Mr Jones explafried how a stranglehold could be applied. Members were taught to use their uniform lapels in applying pressure to the nerve and artery at the side of the neck. All members were warned about the consequences and all were taught how to advise the applier by tapping his arm to avoid danger. The accused had had instruction on that point, Mr Jones said.

Detective R. J. Hawkes, in written evidence, said he had found a wooden-handled knife and rope which had blood on it in the Datsun truck.

The depositions are expected to end today.