MAORI WHO ACTED AS A “PEEPING TOM” APPEARS IN COURT THEFTS FROM DWELLINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 February 1947, Page 8

MAORI WHO ACTED AS A “PEEPING TOM” APPEARS IN COURT THEFTS FROM DWELLINGS

Seven charges of breaking and entering dwellings by night with intent to commit thett, and nve of Being found unlawfully on enclosed premises were admitted by a Maori, William Rangitaucra, aged 30, when he appeared before Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court, Wanganui, yesterday. From several of the dwellings money was taken, the largest sum from one place being £45. Vvhen interviewed oy the police accused admitted these offences and said he had spent the money on billiards and beer, in reply to the magistrate, SeniorSergeant F. Culloty, who prosecuted, saiu the other offences were in the nature of a "Peeping Tom," two maternity homes, a private hospital and the .kazitane Home having oeen visited oy accused. On the seven charges of breaking and entering with intent to commit theft, accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme court, Wellington, lor sentence. On the charges of being found on enclosed premists without lawful excuse he was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on each, the terms to be concurrent. The magistrate commented that accused had yet to appear Before the Supreme Court lor sentence on more serious charges. Accused was charged with breaking and entering by night the dwellings of Valerie Smitn, Carlton Avenue, on February 10; Nelson John Anderson, Condon Street, Aramono, on January 25, and again on February 1; Melva Patricia tills, George Street, Aramoho, on January 31; Marion Allen, Kaikokopu Road, Aramoho, on February 1; Herbert IVlander Williams, Bignen street, on February 7, and Alexander Kidd, Alma Road, on February 10. Constable C. Dudley, said in evidence that he ar.»sted accused at Upokongaro on Feoruary 17 and when questioned about a number of houses Being entered, accused admitted his guilt and offered to take the police to these premises and show how he had gained entry, in most cases the houses were entered by back doors which were left unlocked. From the house in Carlton Avenue the only article taken was an Electric toren, but £3 in money was taken from Alma Road and 10s from the house in Signell Street. Constable R. Hynds (Aramoho) also produced statements made oy accused. He admitted taking £4a in all from Andersons home in Condon Street, £3 from the house in George Street, and £2 from Kaikokopu itoad. He was frank about tnese matters ano said he wanted to clear them up.

Describing the offences which were m the nature ot a "Peeping Torn,' Senior-Sergeant Culloty saiu that accused was a married man, out living apart from his wile. At 2.30 a.m. on February 11, accused entered a Bedroom at ‘Picardy" occupied by a nurse and shone a torch on io her as she lay asleep. Tne nurse screamed and accused made a hurried departure. He was using a cycle ana he.ore entering .he premises had removed bis shoes it tne iront gate. On February 13, at 3.45 a.m., a night nurse was on duty at Karitane when she saw a man s lace at a window. Accused promptly boiled ana made his exit by way ot some back stairs. Un an earlier date, however, ne hau visited Braemar Private Hospital, under similar circumstances, also a dwelling in Ingestre Street. On January 13, accused visited Cairhbrae at 3 o'clock in the morning, flashing his torch on a nurse who was asleep. She called out to a sister in the next room and also asked accusca what he wanted, but he lied. In this ease accused was also in his stockinged feet. On all these excursions accused used a cycle and after his arrest by Constable Dudley admitted the orlences, Scnic.r-Sergeant Cuiioty added Accused had been in trouble previously. "it does not matter what sentence 1 impose in these cases," said tne magistrate. "He n.ust appear beiore the Supreme Court on very mucn more serious charges.