CHARGES DENIED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23201, 22 November 1938, Page 17

CHARGES DENIED

SALESMAN ON TRIAL "EPISODE IN DOMAIN On a charge of rape, associated with * series of lesser counts, Patrick Francis O'Meara, salesman, aged 24 (Mr. Singer), stood trial before Mr. Justice C'allan and a jury in the Supreme Court yesterday. The offences were alleged to have been committed in the Auckland Domain on the night of August 26 on a young woman 21 years pf age. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. V. R. Meredith, conducted the prosecution. The lesser charges were of attempting to commit rape, assault with intent to commit rape, assault so as to cause actual bodily harm, indecent assault and assault. Mr Meredith said the facts arose out of what might be' considered the indiscretion of two girls who allowed two voung ,111011 whom they did not know" to pick them up in their motorcar. After the pictures these two girls were walking down Queen Street when a car drew up alongside Ihe two voung men in it persuaded the girls to accept a lift home, and they drove to a cabaret and several other places, at one of which- they picked up nine bottles of beer. Another couple joined them and they ended in the Domain after midnight. Other evidence, Mr. Meredith said, 'would support the girl s account of an attack O'Meara made oh her there. • Evidence in support of the Crown case was continued throughout the day,, and the further hearing was adjourned until this morning.