WOMAN ATTACKED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22850, 4 October 1937, Page 10

WOMAN ATTACKED

FOUND UNCONSCIOUS fl

SEVERE HEAD WOUNDS If CRIME IN LONELY STREET |j| RESIDENT OF WANUANUI J|j [nY TELEGRAPH—TRESS ASSOCIATION | WANGAN'UI, Sunday Suffering from severe wounds on the head, apparently caused by some blunt weapon wielded several times, Mrs. Una ') Thompson, aged 20, residing at Willis Street, Wanganui, was found uncon- || scions on a footpath in a lonely part' of Anzac Parade just before one o'clock || this morning. The discovery was made | by passing motorists, who went to tho police station and called an ambulance and motored back to the scene with a : constable. " .

At first the motorists thought the victim was a man, as she was clad in grey slacks and a leather coat. It was also thought that she had ticen run' down by a motorist. Later investigation proved, however, that Mrs. Thompson had been the victim of foul play. Her head was severely battered and the loft hand, evidently used as a guard, had been badly bruised.

Walking Home Alone

Mrs. Thompson spent the evening with friends in Harrison Street, and her husband, Mr. Frank Thompson, who is a carpenter, went to a men's entertainment in the "city. She left Harrison Street at about midnight to walk home, refusing company on the journey.

Mr. Thompson, who arrived home at about 1.30 o'clock, discovered that his wife had not returned, and set out for Harrison Street. En route he saw the ambulance, but he did not. stop. On arriving at Harrison Street lie was told that.Mrs. Thompson had left sometime before. Hurrying back to the scene of the accident, Mr. Thompson got from bystanders a description" of the injured woman, finally setting , out in pursuit of the ambulance when he realised it was his wife.

Up to a late hour to-night ' Mrs. Thompson was still Unconscious, but wSs showing a slight improvepient. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson came to Wanganui recently from Invercargill. Scene of the Attack Where the attack took place a fairly high gorse hedge flanks a big empty section, and on the opposite side of the road is a market garden and the Wanganui East Esplanade, which borders the river. Where Mrs. Thomp. son was found was almost half-way along the frontage of the empty section. Her head was lying close to the gorse and rested underneath an arm. A bag of golf clubs she had been carrying lay on the footpath near by. *'

There is nothing to indicate tie motive for the attack. The police immediately began an investigation, including a search for the weapon used by the assailant.