ASSAULT CHARGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23048, 27 May 1938, Page 16

ASSAULT CHARGES

INJURIES TO WOMAN YOUTH TO STAND TRIAL [from ouii owx correspondent] PUKEKOHE. Thursday Arising out of an alleged assault on an elderly woman who was alone in a house at ICaraka on April 20, two charges wero preferred against Walter Alfred Thomas Church, farm labourer, aged 20, in the Pukekohe Police Court yesterday before Messrs. C. Walter and D. Jamieson, .T.P.'s. Church was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm and assault with attempt to commit rape. He was represented by Mr. I r . A. Hosking, of Pukekohe, and pleaded not guilty. The prosecution was conducted by Detective-Ser-geant •). Trethcway. Dr. A. T. Begg, of Pukekohe, described injuries wjiich lie found the complaintant to ho suffering on April MO. A number of ribs were broken and both eyes were blackened. The injuries were consistent with complainant having been assaulted violently. Detective-Sergeant, Trethcway said that in company with Detective Mahood he interviewed Church at a farm at Papakura. Later, at the Pukokoho police station, Church made a statement, hut then he refused to sign it, saying that it was untrue. Ho then said: "1 recollect finding myself in her house. She will pick me." He stated that lie was subject to dizzy turns. Witness said ho had told accused that he would bo placed in an identification parade. Later luc arrested him. _ Mr. Hosking said the complainant had not been able to identify accused and there were discrepancies in evidence regarding his attire. Ho submitted that, there was insufficient evidence to warrant Church being sent to the Supremo Court for trial. He thought the polieo had got the wrong man. The accused was committed to the Supremo Court for trial on both charges. IViil was allowed in accused s own bond ol: £ol) and one. surety of £SO.