ASSAULT ON WOMAN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 140, 16 June 1939, Page 5

ASSAULT ON WOMAN

YOUNG MAN IMPRISONED

"I ani going to make an example of you. Men of your kind must be taught that the Courts will not tolerate this kind of behaviour," said Mr. A. M. Goulding, S.M., in the LoAver Hutt Court yesterday, after evidence had been heard in a case in which Harold Harris, a carpenter, aged 27, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting a young married Avoman. The prosecution Avas conducted by Sergeant J. W. McHolm. The defendant conducted his own case. In evidence, the young woman said that shortly after 10 o'clock on May 6 she Avas in Nainai Lane Avhen the defendant asked her if the bus had passed. She said that it had not, and no other conversation was carried on. She had not seen the man before. When the bus arrived, she got in and travelled to the .King George Theatre. Here she made some purchases at a greengrocer's, and then Avalked down Laing's Road. When she was turning into Myrtle Street the man came up and offered to carry her parcels. She said that she could manage, but the defendant walked along beside her. He said that he knew her, and had gone to school with other members of her family. He then put his arm round her. She told him to go away, and kept walking towards her house. The defendant then pulled her tOAvards him. Witness said that if he did not go she would call her husband. When they were outside the house next to her home he endeavoured again to take hold of her. She struck at him with her handbag, which flew open, and in doing so dropped her parcels. The defendant then punched her in the face, and made off. The mother of the preA'ious Avitness gave evidence that the girl came into the house in an agitated condition. Her nose was. bleeding, there Avas a cut over her left eye, and the eye became blackened. Evidence was also given by two constables concerning the girl's report to. the police, and an interview with the defendant. The defendant in evidence said that he knew the girl and had often spoken to her. The last time would be about four or five years ago. He carried her parcels to the gate, A\'here she used bad language to him. He might have injured her by blocking the blow she aimed at him with the bag, or the bag might have swung back and hit her in the face. j A sentence of one month's imprison-j ment with hard labour Avas imposed.