WOMAN ASSAULTED IN HOME

Evening Star, Issue 23146, 21 December 1938, Page 10

WOMAN ASSAULTED IN HOME

ENTRY OBTAINED BY RUSE BOGUS “ INSPECTOR " POLICE MAKE AH ARREST [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, December 20. A young married woman of Armadale road, Renmera, reported to the police to-day that a man had gained admission to her house on the pretext that he was an inspector of electrical wiring, and, after perfunctorily trying the switches in the various rooms, demanded £2 for Christinas, at the same time assaulting her about the mouth and face. The woman told the police that this morning a man, about 30 years of age and well dressed, knocked on the back door and asked her whether she had experienced any trouble with the houselighting system. Ho carried a notebook with a list of names in it, and said he was looking for power leakages. Ho asked to see the switchboard.

“ Ho looked genuine enough,” tho woman said in an interview later, “ and I allowed him to enter. I left him at the switchboard and went into the kitchen. Ho asked to see the power points, and I showed him through to the lounge room, and as I turned away to return to the kitchen he placed his hands over my mouth and demanded money.” The woman struggled to free herself and screamed for help. He is said to have threatened her if she screamed again, but, although sho was nearly suffocated with the pressure of his hands on her mouth and nose, she continued to scream. Sho struggled and managed to escape. After falling to tho floor, she freed herself and asked for a drink of water. Then the man again threatened her if she made, a noise, and said lie wanted only money. Tho woman got a drink of water for herself, and seized the opportunity of running away through the hack door. The man is said to have followed her, but when she screamed loudly he walked through the house and left by tho front door. As soon- as she had recovered her composure tho woman telephoned to the police, The police made ah arrest in the city to-night, and the man will appear in tho Police Court to-morrow morning.

YOUNG MAH CHARGED [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, December 21. George Cecil Horry (31), a tailor, appeared before Mr Orr Walker, S.M., in the Police Court to-day on charges of assault with intent to rob and with menaces demanding £2 with intent to steal the money. The police askedi for a remand until December 28. Counsel for accused, Mr Sullivan, applied for bail, but the police opposed the application. “It is essential for the purpose of my client’s defence that he should have his liberty,” said Mr Sullivan. “ I intend taking the earliest opportunity of disclosing to the police that, at the time he was not in the vicinity of Armadale road, but was handy to the corner of Queen and Wellesley streets.- He will report to the police twice daily if necessary.” “ I have been instructed to strongly oppose bail,” said Detective-sergeant M'Hugh. “The reasons are the seriousness of the alleged crime. The fact is that the accused has been identified as the allegedly guilty person, and there is a possibility he might not appear to stand his trial.” Contending that a man was innocent until he had been proved guilty, counsel repeated his request for bail. The Magistrate asked where the accused resided. Mr Sullivan: That is treading on thin ice, sir. A revelation of facts may prejudice his case, I think this is a matter which might be discussed with your Worshio in chambers. The Magistrate said lie would consider the application for bail in chambers. “In the meantime I will not grant bail,” -he added.