ORDEAL AT MIDNIGHT

NZ Truth, Issue 1274, 1 May 1930, Page 6

ORDEAL AT MIDNIGHT

■■ ■ « Alleged Assault On Young Woman "I GOT FREE" '(From "N.Z. Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) Shortly after the eerie hour of midnight, as two young women were making their way homeward along a lonely road on the outskirts, of the city, they were approached by a man who asked if they were not frightened. '• A FEW moments later a vjpman's screams for help pierced the still night, and m consequence of what transpired m the dark roadway, a 19---year-old dairyman, Colin Raymond Wills, now awaits trial at the Supreme Court on a charge of indecently assaulting a female. ' . Police evidence charging the young man with the offence was heard, before Mi*. J., R. Bartholomew, S.M., m the City Police Court, the prosecution . being conducted by Chief-detective D. Cameron. Mr. J. S.. Sinclair appeared for Wills, who, after consulting his counsel at the conclusion of the evidence, pleaded not guilty. A neatly-dressed, self-possessed girl, described as a machinist, residing at Mornington, was the first and chief witness. • . On the night of April 5 she attended a social at the Waikarl School. j Leaving the hall about midnight with a lady friend, she started to walk home. When passing along Stone Street, a- a young man overtook them rand asked: "Where are you going?" Her companion replied: "What's that got to do with you?" - The man then asked: "Aren't you frightened?" the joint answer to which was "No." "He then put his arms round my shoulders," the girl continued, "and [ pulled away from him. I attempted to smack his face, but don't think I did. I did not get free, and he put his .arms round me and we struggled." v "I got free after he tried to drag me down the road. 'Mrs. was trying to hit him. Eventually I got free and we ran away. He followed us. I only got a few steps away from him 1 when lie caught me again and, he struggled harder than ever." The girl then described how Wills had interfered with her clothing, details of which constituted the main features of the charge. I Finally, she said, she broke away from her assailant, who ran back down the cpad. In the struggle accused trod on her foot and tore her stocking. Cross-examined by Mr. Sinclair, the witness answered that it was impossible for the interference with her clothing to have been accidental. Her overcoat, which she was •wearing, was six inches longer than her Qther apparel, and she had no doubt whatever as to what happened. Committed for trial, Wills was allowed bail on his own recognisance of £100, and one surety of £100, or two of £50 each. .