‘Eminent’ man fined for assault

Press, 8 May 1985, Page 12

‘Eminent’ man fined for assault

PA Palmerston North A scientist described by Judge Satyanand as an "eminent New Zealander" was fined $250 in the District Court at Palmerston North on Monday for assaulting a woman. Peter Vaughan Rattray, aged 42, a doctor of agriculture from Hamilton, admitted the charge which followed from a social function at Massey University on February 14.

Sergeant John Hollywood said Rattray had attended the function at which students were present, including a young Canadian woman who did not know the defendant.

The defendant had approached the woman, ripped open his shirt and said “I’ll show you mine, if you show

me yours". f j had then ripped open the young woman's shirt and bitten her on the breast, before pressing one of his shirt buttons into her breast. Mr Hollywood said the defendant was warned by people present “to clear off,” and did so, but returned and tried to put a hand up the complainant's skirt.

Counsel. Mr Les Atkins, said the defendant “is a man of singular scientific achievement ... achievement of the kind which brings with it continuing stress.”

Mr Atkins added that the defendant had no clear recollection of the events but did accept the summary of facts as presented by the police.

He emphasised tha f the defendant was a person oi impressive record, had no previous convictions, appeared to have been beset by a problem which was now recognised, and had a genuine desire to apologise to the complainant. Mr Atkins made a strong plea for suppression of name which was refused.

The Judge said, “This was an unusual occurrence for an eminent New Zealander, but a lady present at a social occasion at the university was upset by your behaviour. This was a oneoff thing and you have taken appropriate steps to rectify it. “I have given anxious consideration to suppression of your name but it is not a suitable case for suppression.”