UNWELCOME ATTENTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 May 1928, Page 10

UNWELCOME ATTENTION

WAIUTA MAN FINED.

(Our Own Correspondent.)

REEFTON, May 29.

At the Magistrate’s Court to-day, before Mr AV. Meldrum, S.M., Edward Peatey was charged with aggravated assault on a female at W aiuta on May 13. Defendant pleaded guilty. Sergt. Fryer conducted the case for the police. Giving evidence, the girl stated that her age was 16. On May 12 she attended a dance at Waiuta. Defendant asked it he might see her home, but she refused. On leaving the dance, defendant, caught her up and she told him she did not want him. He then caught her around the waist and attempted to drag her towards a stable, on which she screamed and called out “George.” Mr Coulson then came along and defendant Jet her’ go, after which she went home. Defendant, in his evidence, stated that lie had several dances with the complainant, and as he had taken her home several times before, he went out of the hall with her and walked along the road about 200 yards, talking as they went. He did not seize her around the waist, but was trying to kiss her. She did not oppose going along the road with him. Under cross-examination by Sergt. Fryer, defendant stated that he read the summons, and then intimated to Constable Thear he intended pleading guilty. The girl screamed once, and he let her go at once. He was not aware that the screaming was heard across the road. In reply to the Magistrate, defendant stated he was a miner employed at AVaiuta. Defendant was fined £lO, with costs £2 5s 4d.