SERIOUS CHARGES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 68

SERIOUS CHARGES.

THEFT AND RAPE. AUCKLAND. Januaay 17. The theft of £74 m English money and 25 dollars in American currency from the chart room of the schooner Fisherman was admitted in the Police Court by the second officer, Altmar Leif Andersen, aged 38. A further alternative charge of rape, attempted rape, and aggravated assault on a female were denied. Frederick Carl Klebingat, the master of the Fisherman, said he had £74 in banknotes in the chart room on the evening of December 31. This was missed on the following day, and witness charged Andersen with _ the theft. Andersen denied it. but when again charged in the presence of the police lie admitted stealing the money, as well as 25 dollars ,in notes. A young married woman said accused spoke to her cn New Year’s Eve. They walked to Albert Park, where accused caught her and thumped her several times on the head. He tore her clothing from her, and in the struggle a tooth was broken, and she received severe injuries to an eye. Melville M'Dowell said he was in Albert Park to see the New Year in, and was about to go home shortly after midnight when a woman ran up to him calling out for help. Blood was streaming down her face, and she was very distressed. The woman said she had been assaulted by a man Witness said he went back with her. but no one was about, and he then took her home. > Sergeant Flannigan, who saw accused in his cabin on the Fisherman on January 2, said accused’s overcoat was covered with’ blood. When questioned, accused said he must have been knocked out on New Year’s Eve. Witness later found a bloodstained shirt in the cabin. The skin on accused’s knuckles was also broken, but there were no marks on his body. He complained of the theft of a gold watch and chain. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence on the theft charge, and for trial on the rem»ining counts.