AT NEWTOWN PARK

NZ Truth, Issue 605, 20 January 1917, Page 6

AT NEWTOWN PARK

The Man and the Girls Edmond Gilligan Goes for Trial A case was comxnonced m tho Magistrate^ Court, "VJCuiilngton, on Wednesday, before Mr. L. G. Reid, S.M., when Edmond GUHgan, a tall, well-dressed man, 62 years of ag:e, who described himself as a salesman, was charged on two counts of having: lndocentjy assaulted two llttlo girls In Newtown Park on January 1. There was also a charge of common assault on ono of the Httle girls preferred against him. Inspector Hendroy conducted the prosocutlon, nnd the accused was represented by Mr. H. F. O'L^ary. Andrew Nellson, of Hanson-street, Wellington, said that ho was In the Park on tho day In question, and his attention was called to the accused BY HIS CONDUCT, And the fact that ho was surrounded by a, number of little girls. His actions wero such that his suspicions were arouaod. Ho went over to Gilligan and asked him what he meant by such conduct, telling him, at tho same time, that ho ought to havo his head kicked off. Jn conscquonco of what tho urlrls told him, he laid a complaint to tho police. Four little girla also eavo evldonco to the effect that the accused had given them sums of monoy amounting In all to .ibout £1. He had made certain HUKffoationa to them. Evidence was also given by four llttlo boys. Constable Hedijeman ya-ve evidence <>t the nrrest of tho accused. A complaint had been made to him by NoilBon, nnU, tn consequence thereof, ho arrested tho accused. GHUgun, on bolnjj made acquainted with tho nature of Lhe vhargo. said that whoever had l>*.«d the complaint must navy roado a mustaJte He had given the children somo money, but DENIED THAT ANY OFFENCE whatever had taken place. The accused was committed to tho Supreme Court for trial on the Indtctuhlo offencoa. Tho chnrjfe of common fifisavilt wuji adjourned. aJno die. j until the henrlnp *>t tli« major charges U\ the Supremo Court, ball \»ulng allowed la a ftuzn of JC&O.