GIRLS ASSAULTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23491, 31 October 1939, Page 9

GIRLS ASSAULTED

INTRUDER IN HOUSES FARM HAND SENT TO GAOL SUFFERINGS OF THE VICTIMS [by telegraph—OWN, correspondent] TE AROHA, Monday "The girls are suffering from the effects of their ordeal; one is still confined to bed, and the doctors say her nerves are in a bad state," said Constable W. Monson, in the Police Court, when Leslie John Parnell, a farm hand, aged 25, appeared before Mr. W. H. Freeman, S.M. ' Parnell was charged with committing an aggravated assault on a female at Ruakaka on September 6, and again at Herriesville on October 14. In addition, charges of being a rogue and a vagabond, and of the theft of a camera were preferred. Parnell pleaded guilty tc all charges. He was sentenced to a year's imprisonment with hard labour on the assault charges, and on the other three counts he was convicted and discharged. Constable Monson said that at Ruakaka Parnell entered a house through the dining room window and went into a girl's room with a torch. He searched the room, and when the girl moved in her bed he covered her with the bedcloths, and struck her heavily on the i head,. At Herriesville,' accused entered ! the porch of a house where a girl was sleeping. The noise he made awakened the girl, who was seized by the throat and; pushed back on the bed. "This girl has bruises on her throat and cheat," said Nonstable Monson. "The other girl received a heavy blow on the head." Constable Monson said accused was released on licence from Borstal on May 5, 1938. "This sort of thing "cannot be tolerated," said Mr. Freeman. "It is a very serious matter, and it may have had more serious consequences. You apparently do not appreciate the seriousness of- the offence. It is not as though you have not been warned. You will probably be in for a longer period if the Prison , Department takes action."