A RACECOURSE INCIDENT

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 81, 30 December 1929, Page 10

A RACECOURSE INCIDENT

CHARGE AGAINST LABOURER

WOMAN’S SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS

ALLEGED THREAT WITH RAZOR

Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, December 28.

Allegations that her former lover had threatened her and produced a razor were made by a young woman in the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court, where she appeared this morning, seeking protection from Henry Money, a labourer, aged 34. “This young woman was 1 engaged for two years to accused, but on account of his gambling and drinking habits she terminated the engagement,” explained Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse to Messrs. A. J. Graham and F. W. Connell, J.P.’s, who presided. “Since then he has been following her about threatening her, and ■has just about broken all her nerves. During the time he was engaged to her, and at present, he is a married man separated from his wife.” “That is not true,” broke in accused, who pleaded not guilty to assaulting the young -woman on Thursday by following her about from place to place and by threats of personal violence preventing her from pursuing her lawful way. Describing the alleged occurrences on Thursday, which took place on Awapuni racecourse during the course of the Manawatu Club’s meeting, complainant stated that when the last race started accused started to abuse her. Leaving the course he grabbed her by the arm and abused her, stating that he had a razor and had a good mind to “do for her.” She attracted the attention of Sergeant Hill at the main gates and he spoke to accused and searched him, but did not find a razor. Further Threats Alleged. Witness then went on to relate how some three weeks ago witness had allegedly come to see her at her bach. This was his first appearance in Palmerston North for several weeks. “Why did you not complain to the police before?” inquired the Bench. “The last incident at the racecourse was the culmination,” replied the Senior Sergeant. “She has complained several times before about this man’s conduct. She seems to have become thoroughly scared, and he keeps her in a state of terror.” The Bench (to complainant) : “Then you only went about with him as the best way to keep him quiet?”—“Yes.” “A Downright Lie.” “I want to ask where it originated from that I was married and separated from my wife; it is a downright lie,” declared accused. “I have never been married ; I have never been married in my life.' We left the racecourse together and _ went into the bus together. She sat in my room and walked around with me on the night of the alleged assault.” On going into the witness box, accused first denied that he had ever been engaged to complainant. Regarding the trouble on the racecourse, he had seen complainant with another man. That was nothing, and he merely said to her: “Some men would knock your head off.” There had been no threats of violence. Complainant was always hysterical. If he had threatened her the other _ man should have come forward to protect her. The Bench: “Then you merely suggested in a gentle manner that you should leave?” Accused: “Well, I might have said, ‘Come on home now, the races are over.’ ” Locking the Door. Accused stated that it had been complainant who had locked the door of the bach at. the time it was alleged he had visited her with an open razor. “Why? Was she afraid she might go away?” queried the Senior Sergeant. “Perhaps it was to keep other people out.” replied accused. Senior Sergeant: “Did you have a razor?” Accused : “No.” Senior Sergeant: “It is funny that she should have imagined it.”. Accused: “We have our little family quarrels.” “The Bench is of the opinion that you ought to be convicted,” said Mr. Graham. “It is not considering any relations which may have existed between the parties. We are determined to convict under the circumstances, and you will come up for sentence if it is found necessary to arrest you again.” “That can’t prevent me from speaking to her in the street,” declared accused. Tlie Bench: “You take our advice and have nothing to do with the matter. Why not part altogether? The least said the soonest mended.”