“PEEPING TOMS”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10912, 1 June 1929, Page 5

“PEEPING TOMS”

SCO Li EH Off WOMEN UN ABLE TO TO SLEET IN INVERCARGILL.

AMAZING POLICE STATEMENT

(Frees Association.!

iNYKRt ARGJLL. -May 31. A middle-aged married man. who was represented b\- Air. 1. Meredith, pleaded not guilty in the Police Court to-day to a charge ol having been found on enclosed premises by night without lawful excuse. In asking for a remand, counsel stated that defendant had assured, him he had good reason for being on the premises, and counsel had advised hint to call bis witnesses in the matter. Counsel asked ior bail and for an order suppressing the name in the meantime. Senior Sergeant Box stated that the alleged offence was regarded by the police as a typical .‘‘Peeping Tom” case as far as deiendant was concerned. Constable Nesbit bad received a complaint from a lady in Ettrick street’, staling that, on freshly dug ground outside her siitingrcom window, she had noticed tracks. Complaints oi a somewhat similar nature bad been received front four sources over a widely scattered area. It had been arranged that, on Thursday evening, a watch should be kept on the house. The daughter of complainant agreed to sit in the sittingroom and the blind was purposely left .slightly askew. Constable Nesbit waited from , p.m. until 10 p.m. He would say that be saw the. man. sneaking up to the window. He looked into tile room lirst en one side and then on the other. Scores of women could not sleep on account ot the fear of “Peeping Toms.” The Senior Sergeant mentioned that St. Helen s Hospital was a favorite haunt ol such people, and complaints iiad been received from the matron. It did not follow, hov.evei, that accused bad ell ended before. Those fireiiui.stanecs should be taken into consideration when bail was being considered. The magistrate granted an order suppressing the name in the meantime and allowed bail lor L“25 on, accused's own recognisance .and one suretv.