SOLDIER FINED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11684, 28 April 1916, Page 6

SOLDIER FINED.

MOLESTING A WOMAN, HAPPENING ON EXPRESS. Thomas Cooper, v. ho appeared in uniform, was charged heron' Air T. A. 1.5. 15ailey, »S.M., this afternoon that he ! had been drunk in a. railway carriage I between Dmiediu' and Oamaru en April ! •„'! and had indecently assaulted a I woman. ! .Mr Cassidy, who appeared for accused, said that the ease would probably resolve itself into one of common assault, and if the charge was reduced a plea, of guilty would be entered. Sub-Inspector .Miillany, in agreeing to' this course, said that Cooper had joined the train at Puucdin on his final leave, very drunk. -M<> Lad noticed the woman reclining on a .seat in a, secondclass carriage, next, to her husband, and had offered her fruit, which she had accepted to get rid <»f him. He went away, but came hack again and attempted to kiss her. He then .started to arrange two coals that were covering her, and i.t doing so had put his hands under her dress in tho region of her knees. She screamed and went into hvsteiics. Alt- Cassidy said that Cooper, who lived tbirtv miles out of Oamaru, bore a very good 'character, and had earned good couduc!. marks in camp. He had been very drunk, saying good-bye to all and sundry and had no remembrance of the offence. The Magistrate said it was deplorable that any man should molest a woman in a, "railway carriage, but in the circumstances there seemed to be no indecent intent, and the ease could be reduced. Cooper -was fined I'C and ordered to pay witnesses' expenses, £1 1-1 s.