BOGUS INSPECTOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23689, 22 December 1938, Page 8

BOGUS INSPECTOR

WOMAN ASSAULTED ILLEGAL ENTRY TO HOUSE YOUNG MAN CHARGED iPer United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 21. George Cecil Horry, aged 31, a tailor, appeared before Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Police Court today on charges of assault with intent to rob and with menaces demanding £2 with intent to steal the money. The police asked for a remand until December 28. Counsel for the accused (Mr Sullivan) applied for bail, but the police opposed the application. "It is essential for the purpose of my client's defence that he should have his liberty," said Mr Sullivan. " I intend taking the earliest opportunity of disclosing to the police that at the time he was not in the vicinity of Armadale road, but was handy to the corner of Queen and Wellesley streets. He will report to the police twice daily if necessary." "I have been instructed strongly to oppose bail," said Detective Sergeant McHugh. " The reasons are the seriousness of the alleged crime. The fact is that the accused has been identified as the allegedly guilty person, and there is a possibility he might not appear to stand his trial." Contending that a man was innocent until he had been proved guilty, counsel repeated his request for bail.

The magistrate asked where the accused resided.

Mr Sullivan: That is treading on thin ice, sir. A revelation of facts may prejudice his case. I think this is a matter which might be discussed with your Worship in chambers. The magistrate said he would consider the application for bail in chambers. "In the meantime I will not grant bail," he added.

A young married woman of Armadale road, Remuera, reported to the police on Monday that a man had gained admission to her house on the pretext that he was an inspector of electrical wiring, and, after perfunctorily trying the switches in the various rooms, demanded £2 for Christmas, at the same time assaulting her about the mouth and face. The woman told the police that a man, about 30 years of age and well dressed, knocked on the back door in the morning, and asked her whether she had experienced any trouble with the house lighting system. He carried a note book with a list of names in it, and said he was looking for power leakages. He asked to see the switchboard. "He looked genuine enough," the woman said in an interview later, " and I allowed him to enter. I left him at the switchboard, and went into the kitchen. He asked to see the power points, and I showed him through to the lounge room, and as I i turned away to return to the kitchen he placed his hands over my mouth and demanded money." The woman struggled to free herself and screamed for help. She struggled and managed to escape After falling to the floor, she freed herself and asked for a drink of water. Then the man again threatened her if she made a noise, and said he wanted only money. The woman got a drink of water for herself, and seized the opportunity of running away through the back door. The man is said to have followed her, but when she screamed loudly he walked through the house and left by the front door. As soon as she had recovered her composure the woman telephoned to the police.