DAYLIGHT ASSAULTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22778, 14 January 1936, Page 2

DAYLIGHT ASSAULTS

YOUNG WOMAN ASSAILED A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 13. Twice assaulted by men within half an hour when walking in the Domain in broad daylight on Saturday evening, a young woman, 25 years of age, suffered severe bruises on the arms and face. About 12 months ago the young woman, for health reasons, came to Auckland, and had been working in the city. Since her stay in Auckland was to end to-day, she had packed up ready to leave by the express for the south this evening. A few minutes before 6 o’clock on Saturday evening she left her boardinghouse with the intention of taking a photograph of the War Memorial Museum. She was approaching the entrance to the Domain drive from Stanley street when she was accosted by a young man, who remarked, “ What about taking my photo? ” The girl made no reply, but walked on. She had not proceeded far when she noticed a man in a brown suit following her, but after entering the drive he disappeared into the bush. The girl walked on and had just turned one of the many winding when two youths, considered by the girl to be under the influence of liquor, came down the drive. One caught her by the arm and threw her down a bank. She immediately got up, only to be struck a blow on the face and knocked down again. Screams for help brought her no assistance.

The youths cleared off and the young woman pulled herself together and proceeded semi-consciously up the drive. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned and saw the man in the brown suit approaching from behind. She was agitated, and when he asked her what was the matter she explained. He offered to escort her home, and they then started, to walk up the drive, but had only gone about 100 yards when he caught hold of her and threw her on a grass bank. She struggled and struck him with the camera, while he struck her blows on the face f< one blow in the eye causing much swelling. For a second time within half an hour she cried out for assistance, but none came until after her assailant had made off. A few minutes later two women came down the drive, and Constable Collins arrived. The girl’s description of her assailant in the second instance is that he was a man about 28 years of age, wearing a light brown suit with a hat to match, and_ white sandshoes. He was of slight build.