YOUTH CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING GIRL

Grey River Argus, 12 October 1949, Page 8

YOUTH CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING GIRL

On a charge of aggravated assault on a female, aged nine years, at Waimangaroa on September 25, Harold Banks, 18, single, a bricklayer’s assistant, was convicted and admitted to probation for two years by Mr H. J. Thompson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Westport, yesterday. Accused pleaded guilty. After Sergeant C. S Davis had given details of the offence, he indicated that Banks had learned bad habits away from his home, and was evidently slipping from the right path. Mr H. E. A. Maitland, for accused, admitted that he had acted very foolishly. Banks was at a difficult age, when he was a prey to temptation. His conduct did not necessarily mean that he had a criminal streak. He would ask for probation, as imprisonment might have an adverse effect on him.

The Magistrate said that accused was charged with one of the worst offences possible—one that might have a serious effect on the mentality of the child concerned. He was doubtful about granting probation, but, in view of the Probation Officer's report, would do so, providing that Banks remains under the control of his father, and refrains from associating with females under 16 years of age. TRAFFIC OFFENCES At Westport Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Thomas Edward Cox, of Hector, was ordered to pay costs on a charge of exceeding the speed limit in a motor car in Brougham Street, Westport, on August 6. Inspector M. W. Allerby said defendant was travelling at 40 miles an hour, whereas the street was in a 30 mile limit zone. He added that the charge was made as a warning to others Mr A. Craig said that Cox did not know of the new speed restrictions on that highway, and there was no one near him on the road. William Ryan and Arthur Hurren/ of Westport, wer e each lined £1 for riding bicycles at night without lights. LICENCING CASE The licensee of McManus’s Hotel, Westport, Mavis Belle Stone, was lined £lO for selling liquor after hours on September 2, and the barman, Thomas Rogan, being other than the licensee, was fined £2 for serving liquor. Two men found illega’ly on the premises on that night were each fined £l. Sergeant Davis said that, with Constable Condon, he visited the hotel at 7.40 p.m., and found the two men at the bar slide, but others escaped from the parlour. One of the men said that he was the guest of the barman, and continued to drink his beer, while the other said he was a friend of the barman, and was having a smoke. Mrs Stone said that the Jarman had asked for permission to serve two friends, and she had given it.