Man admits assault on girl, aged 10

Press, 5 August 1981, Page 4

Man admits assault on girl, aged 10

A man who put a stranglehold on a girl, aged 10,’ told the police that at the time he was only “fooling around,” said Sergeant M. P. Caldwell in the District Court yesterday.

’.As a. result the complainant, although suffering no injury, had been left in a distressed state, he said.

Kevjn Wayne Dickson, aged 21, unemployed, who admitted assaulting the girl, was convicted and remanded on bail to August 17 for a probation report and sentence by Judge Palmer.

Sergeant Caldwell said the defendant had grabbed the girl around the neck and had applied pressure which blocked her windpipe. The girl had called round to the address to deliver some books and magazines. Counsel (Mr E. Bedo) said the complainant had been teasing his client by: calling him names.

Dickson denied applying any. real pressure to the girl’s throat.

No real malice was involved and the action was done in jest to frighten the girl, he said.

The Judge said the action could have been “frightening and terrifying" for the young girl.

In remanding Dickson the Judge said he regarded the offence as too serious to be dealt with by a monetary penalty.

.. BURGLARY CHARGES Two unemployed men charged with burgling Buchanans Food Store in Fendalton Road on Monday were each remanded without plea to August 11. Kerry Andrew Shaw.’ and Dean Andrew Gray, both aged. 18. were allowed bail of $lOOO . with .an approved surety of the same amount. THEFT CHARGE A man. aged 22. facing a charge of stealing a cylinder head and accessories, valued at $3390. was remanded on bail to August 11. Michael James Hindson, a factory worker, is alleged to have committed the offence on June IL.