SIX MONTHS’ GAOL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21004, 29 January 1943, Page 4

SIX MONTHS’ GAOL

ASSAULT ON CHILD MAGISTRATE’S COMMENT (S.R.) ' WAIROA, Jan. 23. “I am only sorry that I cannot make the penalty more severe,” stated Mr. J. Miller,' S.IVI when- sentencing Arthur Percy Farn to six months imprisonment for, aggravated assault on a young child in Wairoa on December .6. Sergeant L. T. Moore, who represented the police, stated that the alleged offence took place on the riverbank. The accused, who was represented by Mr. Black, pleaded not guilty. • , .. John Alexander Duley stated that; he was near,- the paddling pool when he saw a young child in a red dress ■ being enticed away from a swing by the accused. Being; suspicious, the witness called another man and -searched for the accused and the child, whom they fo-und in a secluded spot under a wallow tree, the searchers -being guided to the spot by the girl’s ivoice. The witness said the, accused removed his hand from the girl s leg., Adam Robert Moore corroborated, the previous witness’*!story concerning’ the discovery of ,tbc child and die accused beneath the tree. After other evidence had been given, by Constable E. T.C. Broadfcy and the mother of the child, the court was -adjourned while the magistrate visited the scene. On resumption, Mr. Black; submitted that the crime could not have been of a serious nature, in view :of the absence of more drastic action by the police. ■■ . ' Ilis Worship said-that the evidence, fortunately, had disclosed that nothing serious - had happened, but it was obvious that the accused was m tne spot indicated for no other purpose than the evidence inferred. The accused was a menace to the chudien at the playground,' and they had a right to be. protected.