Railway Gar Episode

NZ Truth, Issue 994, 13 December 1924, Page 7

Railway Gar Episode

Man Assaults Lonely Woman

(From "Truth's" Nelson Rep.)

A little lapse m a railway carriage proved a rather costly affair to a young man named Walter Ballahtyne Wallace, a laborer, formerly of the North Island, but at the time, of the occurrence working at Glenhope. At the last sitting of, the Nelson Supreme Court he was charged with indecently assaulting a married woman; and the jury brought m a verdict of common assault only, "With a strong, recommendation to mercy. -.-;._.,

His Honor Mr. Justice Hosking re--fused a request for probation, but ordered Wallace's banking account to be drawn iipon to the extent of a £10 fine and £30 odd to, pay the expenses of the jurymen and other little incidentals that tot up when the strong arm of the law is set m motion. The woman's story Was to the effect that she and accused were the only passengers on the Nelson express after it left Tui for Glenhope, and that Wallace butted m and showed amorous tendencies Which she resisted. He, however, was. foolish enough to persist, and when she would not consent to accompany him into the more comfortable first-class apartment adjoining he used a good deal of force to induce her to do so. It was- proved that she sustained severe bruises. It Was only When the train whistled approaching the Glenhope station that accused desisted frbm his unwelcome attentions. The versi.on of the accused was that he had had the usual 'few drinks," that he did nothing more than attempt to kiss her, and that he did not use force. Lawyer Kerr failed to convince the jury that his client was altogether blameless, but they reduced the more serious charge to the lesser one of common assault.