WOMAN ASSAULTED

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 99, 3 May 1935, Page 5

WOMAN ASSAULTED

DRAGGED DOWNSTAIRS

FROM A DANCE HALL

Chased by a policeman and finally arrested and handcuffed in Victoria Street on Wednesday night, William Alexander Millar, warehouseman, aged 23, was charged in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court yesterday with assaulting Miariam Ursula McLeod Millar. Accused entered a plea of guilty through his counsel, Mr. R. Hardie Boys, and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment by Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M.

About 8. 3 5 on Wednesday night, said Senior-Sergeant J. Dempsey, Constable G. V. W’ood saw a woman with both arms outstretched, trying 'to ward off a man in St. Hill Street, off Manners Street. The man was swinging several heavy blows, and the woman fell to the ground. After dragging the woman behind a motorcar, the man saw the constable and ran away. He avoided a number of civilians, but eventually the constable arrested him in Victoria Street. The woman concerned, although bearing the same name as accused, was not related to him. She was a kitchen maid, 19 years of age, living apart from her husband. She was dancing in the Cosmopolitan Hall when accused went up to her, and, catching her by the arm, pulled her down the stairs and assaulted her. She was unconscious for a time, and was taken to a nearby place, where she revived.

Accused stated that he had little recollection of what had happened after that, except that he was in a blind fury, and he knew he had struck her. The -whole cause of the matter was apparently her attitude. “While the whole thing is a sordid story, I submit that the case might be dealt with, having regard to the manner of living of those concerned,” said Mr. Boys.

“Whatever the cause, an assault on a woman cannot be allowed.” said the magistrate, in imposing his sentence. He added that, as the question of the disease was disputed, he would have to disregard that aspect.