MURDEROUS ASSAULT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1929, Page 3

MURDEROUS ASSAULT

SUSPECT ARRESTED

FURTHER SERIOUS CHARGE

AUCKLAND, April 12

A murderous assault—regarded by die police as one of the worst of its 'kind that has occurred in Auckland for many years—was committed on a young woman of 20 years of age in Western Springs Road, Mount Albert, on the night of Thursday, March 28. She was followed by a man who struck her a heavy blow on the head- and inflicted a wound over four inches long which penetrated to the bone. The case had caused tlie police a great deal of concern, and yesterday they arrested a suspect. The victim of the attack lives at the uottom end of Western Springs Road. She travelled from the etiy on Thursday night, and alighted from a truincur neiir Mount Albert Borough Council Chambers. She walked along Western Springs Road a'little way when she remembered that she had to make a purchase from a store in Mount Albert Road. \\ jicii near the stile leading into Morningside Reserve, at present being formed, she observed a man standing up against the high iron fence.- She turned around and went hack ,to the shop in Mount; Albert Road, and ten minutes later, on passing the fence on her way home, she again saw the same. 'man,' who followed her. in order to allow him to go on ahead the young woman bent .down and pretended that she was taking a stone from her shoe, but the man did not pass her. Instead he stopped and as .the young woman stood up straight lie struck her on the head with a blunt iron bar. He then bolted up the street and climbed over the fence. This is the story which the young woman afterwards related to Ifer parents. A resident in the neighbourhood heard her screams and took her to his house. A doctor was summoned and performed an operation, and she is progressing satisfactorily. The man arrested is Bertram .Tamos O’Connor, aged 34 years. O’Connor appeared before Mr Hunt, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court this morning, charged with doing grevions bodily harm. He was also charged with indecent assault upon a girl four and a half years on March 31st.

Chief-Detective Hammond asked that O’Connor he remanded until Aprjl 18. "Can I get bail, Your Worship.? T have an alibi.” said O’Connor.

“He’s usually got an alibi’’, said Chief Detective Hammond. "If bail is allowed T would ask that it he substantial, for this is one of the worst eases coming before this Court for some time.”

Bail was allowed in the sum of £250.