POLICEMAN SLAPPED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23618, 30 March 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

POLICEMAN SLAPPED

pON STANCE HELENA MAROAKET MOORAT, a 25yearsold despatch rider in the service of the Admiralty, was fined £2 at Westminster, London, for assaulting a policeman, and 30s for failing to observe traffic lights. Her address was given at Room 12, West Block, Admiralty. She appeared in Court in uniform. Before evidence was heard a naval commander asked that "anything which came out should he withheld from the press "Knocked. Helmet Off" The magistrate, Mr. Kenneth Marshall. said: "I cannot do that, you must leave it to their discretion. If there is anything I am sure they will aft quite properly in not disclosing it." Police Constable John Shorto said that when he stopped Moorat in Knightsbridge she said, "I am allowed to cross the lights." When he told her she would be reported she replied. "Your girl must have let you down last night." While he was taking particulars she restarted her engine and allowed the motor-evcle

Girl Despatch Rider in Court

to run forward. He put- his hand on it to stop it. "Then sin' hit i" y books from iu\ hand." ho said. "As 1 bent down to pick thorn up she knocked my helmet off. Then sin- hit mo three times across tho lace with her clenched hst. "1 told her it would bo necessary to take her into custody. mid she snid. 'We are going to be i>11 o ; 1 wiih revolvers. I wish I had mine now. It would he very useful.' Moorat pleaded guilty to the assault, but said she acted ir She said .she did not sec the tratf'"- lights. "1 am sorrv to have behaved in a way I should not havo behaved.'' sixfold the magistrate. "May 1 apologise to the policeman and 10 you:' The road conditions were bad "