BABY ILL-TREATED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22316, 29 April 1947, Page 3

BABY ILL-TREATED

COLLARBONE BROKEN ADMISSION BY LABOURER WIFE’S EVIDENCE (P.A.) AUCKLAND, April 23. Allegations that he ill-treated a 12-months-old baby, breaking its collarbone. was admitted by a Maori labourer, Edward Gundry Wi Repa, aged 23, who was charged under the Infants' Act before .justices of the peace to-day, The accused's italian-born wife, whom he met while serving with the army at Trieste, was the chief witness for {he police. She said her husband frequently hit her and the baby. One night the baby was crying and he hit it on the head and threw it on the floor. The baby was admitted to hospital the next day with a broken collarbone. In an alleged statement to the police, Ihe accused said he was doubtful as to the child's paternity. His wife was verv jealous, “which got on his nerves.” He lost his temper after trying to stop the baby crying. He slapped it on the head arid dropped it on its bed, which was on the floor. The accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. .