Alleged rapist complains to police after women’s attack

Press, 3 February 1984, Page 1

Alleged rapist complains to police after women’s attack

PA Auckland A man who was attacked on Wednesday evening by a group of women and accused of being a rapist has made a complaint to the police. The Herne Bay man, aged 40, had initially declined to lay a complaint, but he made a statement at the Auckland Central Police Station after being approached again by the police yesterday. The police said the man said that the women chained him to a pole near Auckland Zoo after overpowering him in his car outside his home and gagging him. Chief Inspector R. I. Chadwick said the man's arms were bruised, but he

was otherwise unhurt.

A spray-can was used to paint “rapist” on his car before the women abandoned him. A spokesman for the women telephoned radio stations and newspapers in Auckland yesterday, saying the group knew of three or four rapes the man had committed.

The Auckland police said the man did not have any convictions. The action of the women was “very dangerous” — “the matter is certainly being followed up.” said Mr Chadwick.

The women s spokesman said, “He is quite a big man and was struggling all the time, but we had enough enthusiasm to handle him.

“He was pleading with us — saying that he had never

harmed any of us, but we know definitely of three or four rapes he has committed.”

The spokesman insisted that the group of women was not a vigilante squad. “We are a neighbourhood watch group of women ranging from housewives to professionals — Polynesians and Europeans,” she said. “We got together spontaneously to do something about this particular man — we deliberately set out to do something about him. “He is a white-collar rapist and his victims are people he has authority over,” she said. “He is more influential than they are and they stand to lose a lot if they made complaints to the police about him.

“He is an influential and respected member of Auckland society.” Auckland Central’s police controller, Chief Superintendent Brian Wilkinson, said, “The women involved have made it known that they intend to take further similar action. We intend to trace the women and prevent this happening again. “Whether people agree with vigilante groups or not, they are taking a very dangerous course of action. These women were dealing out punishment to a fellow citizen who has never been accused or convicted of any offence.

“They should remember that it works both ways — others can be free to offend against them.”