INDECENCY ALLEGED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21632, 8 February 1945, Page 6

INDECENCY ALLEGED

MAORI IN COURT COMMITTED FOR TRIAL Entering a plea of not guilty to a charge of indecent assault on a female Renata Gerrard, better known as Turei Gerrard, aged 38 years, freezing worker, was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court in Gisborne by Messrs. Myles Doyle and J. ‘B. Broadhurst, J.P.s, in the Gisborne- Magistrate’s Court to-day. Detective T. Sneddon handled the case for the prosecution. For some of the witnesses the services of a Maori interpreter, Mr. E. ' Hooper, were necessary.

A 15-year-old girl, on whom the offence was alleged to have been committed. stated in evidence that she lived in Gisborne with her parents and sisters. On Saturday, January 27, she left her home at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon to meet her sister in town. On the Post Office bridge she met the accused, and went with him to his home at 108 Wainui road. There was a lady at the house arid after the accused prepared a meal for himself and witness the woman ieft. The accused then locked all the doors to the .building and took witness into his bedroom. Pie then committed the offence for which he was charged. The mother of the girl concerned gave evidence relating to the girl’s age and of communicating with the police. Manu Gerrard, niece of the accused, stated that she lived in a small building at the rear of the place where her uncle and his wife lived. She was present when the accused brought the girl to the house but left shortly afterwards, coming back later to find both the back and front doors locked. In answer to a question put to her by Mr. Burnard. the witness said that when her uncle came in with the girl she judged that the girl, though big, was only a child. He ushered her in. She seemed lost and did not know what to do. Detective Sneddon stated that he had interviewed the accused after receiving a complaint fi-om the girl’s mother. The accused made a stale- ■ meat in which he admitted the; offence, saying that the girl appeared willing.