Gang members deny offences on girl

Press, 3 July 1979, Page 4

Gang members deny offences on girl

A 14-year-old girl allegedi that after being lured to the headquarters of the Black power Gang on iristmas Eve she was beaten up by girl a sociates of the gang, threatened with a rifle and was told that she was: "going on the block" — gang raped — Mr Justice Casey and a jury were told in the Supreme Court yesterday. David Tatana Nathan, aged 21, unemployed, has, pleaded not guilty to a ch rge of raping the girl on December 24. and Richard Wiki, aged 19. unemployed,! has pleaded not guilty to attempting to rape her on the tame date. Mr D. J. L. Saundersi appears for the Crown. Mr' K R Avers for Nathan and Mr M. ’ F. McClelland for Wiki. Opening his case Mr Saunders said that th” girl, who was aged 14. at the time of the alleged offence would give evidence that in 3978 she became involved { with the Black Power Gang through a boy-friend whoj was a prospective member. About 1 p.m. on December! 24 the girl was at home when she was lured to the headquarters of the Black Power Gang at the comer of Fitz-; gerald Avenue and Lichfield Street by a girl who said there was a parcel for her. After telling her father that she was going to town to meet a friend the girl arrived at the headquarters

and was set upon by al group of girl associates of the gang. Nathan and Wiki walked into the kitchen where the girl was being assaulted by Sally Raymond) ,vho told her that she was' "going on the block." The girl was pushed into: a small bedroom and on to a; bed where Nathan joined! I her. Sally Raymond came in with a rifle, pointed it at the) girl s head and asked Nathan if he wanted her to shoot; ‘he girl. ’lter Raymond left! ■the room Nathan removedl some of the girl s clothing I and although she tried to push him away .he had inter-1 ’course with her. After Nathan left the ■ room Wiki came in and, ; when the girl got off the! bed and stood up he hit het I across the face and forced; her back on the bed. Wiki; attempted to have inter•.„urw with her but was not) uccessful. When Wiki left he room Nathan returned and again had intercourse with the girl who di-' tot ; resist because she feared that she would he hit again. On attempting to leave) the gang headquarters the | girl was again assaulted by : Sally Raymond and was, Hold- "That's yout Christmas) present from Baldie." He! was the leader of the gang.' As the girl was making (■ her way up Cashel Street ■ she was approached by girl associates of the gang and ordered to hand over her dress and other clothing. She was given other cloth-

ling. L.ie changed-tn -<ne yard I of a used-car sales firm. ' The girl telephoned . her mother from a call box, but she was unable to get her at I work so. she called a friend ■and told her that she had {been raped.' When seen by t'... police the girl said that she had been raped by two I unknown Maoris who had picked her up in a car. Extensive inquiries were made for the tfVo offenders. Later she admitted that her . count of what happened ; was not true and she would ! explain why she had distorted the events. | 'he two accused were apprehended within a few days (of the incident, said, Mr Saunders. In evidence the girl, I whose name was suppressed, said that she was now aged. [l5. At the time she had been a third form pupil. About four days after she (was seen by the police she told them the correct story. She did not give the correct account in the first place be- :< ise of something the girls who made her change her (clothes had told her. To Mr Ayers the girl said that she had first visited the ;gahg headquarters in October and for about three ! weeks she went there after school and then stopped (-going-. -She had spent a i week-end at the flat and ’tad ) intercourse with her boyfriend and the leader of the gang. "Baldy." She did not. really want to have intercourse with "Baldy.” Her

i parents had reported her; missing. When she returned r home she lied to her parents! t about where she had been. M On the Tuesday before ([Christmas she had been to ythe premises in Fitzgerald ‘'[Avenue where she had inter-! ' (course with “Baldy." She ’was not really upset about 1 that. When she kept saying | ' “No.” he kept waving a, -(chain in front of her and; 1 i she did not want to get hit [with the chain. i The girl said that she had; J not complained to anyone) ) bu had told a girl named Maggie who was there and! Who was going to get her s | boyfriend to sav something r iat a gang meeting. She ■(admitted that she had sent J “Baldy” a Christmas card. -(She was not really fond of. ’(him. They’ were just friends. [■When she arrived at the) ] headquarters she had had an! | argument in rhe kitchen and -‘(a fight starr-d between her) ■land the other gir’s. She!’ I fooeht hack until she was; ■.told: “You haven't got a! 5 chance.” r l It was her parents '--hn! had contacted the police! 1' about the comnlaint of rane.! ’[At first she told- the detec- 1 -Itives about being ab'l"-’ t °d;' ;|bv two Pdlvnesian or Maori) rimen in a car at a bus «ton LThat account was broadcast! i)on radio and television. II The girl admitted that she.' -!had made a detailed five-.-ipane statement about the in-; I;cident which was not cor-; -; met. It was no’ until about; r 1 five days later that she gave'

I the police the correct ver-! jsion of what had happened. ' To Mr McClelland the girl! 'said that the gang membersi and their girl associates; knew that she had beefi hav-> ing intercoufse with! "Baldy.” She stopped going; Ito the gang headquarters | after a girl --ailed Dawn told; ! her not to come back. I She was alone in the bed- ) room for a brief time before) )Wiki came in. She did not! try to get out the, window in! (that time. She did not! |.scream. If she had they (would all have come in. I ; The case will finish today. )