GIRL ATTACKED.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15360, 8 October 1923, Page 5

GIRL ATTACKED.

FRANKTON SENSATION.

MAN HUNT ENSUES.

NO TRACE OF ASSAILANT. ' A sensation was caused in the Vicinity of Hincmoa Park on Saturday afternoon, when at the conclusion of the League football match there a girl aged about eleven came running up Dudley Terrace gully, on the Maeroa side of the Park, her clothes covered with mud, and her mouth bleeding, with the complaint that sho had been assaulted by a man at the bottom of the gully road. Constable Peters, of Frankton, who was on duty at the Park, immediately made off down the gully, being followed by Councillor Denz and a number of residents, who were about at the time. No trace of the miscreant could bo found, and a general search of the gorse-covcred hillside then ensued. The girl stated that she had seen him scrambling through the high hedge at the side of the new Rugby grounds, apparently bound in the direction of the Whitiora public school. Constable Peters immediately obtained the use of a car and accompanied by the little victim drove around.to the

school hoping to locate their assailant. However, no sign of him could be found, the fellow having apparently made good his escape. The little girl's story is that she was coming up the gully when she was pursued by the man whom she had passed standing on the west side of the road. To prevent her from shrieking he put his hand roughly over her mouth, causing it to bleed, and in the struggle that ensued she was thrown into a pool of muddy water that saturated her to the skin. She managed to escape and ran up to the top of the rise, 'and her assailant, apparently recognising that pursuit would only result in his own capture, made himself scarce.

A postman who had preceded the girl up the gully states that he saw a man loitering at the side of the.road, but thought nothing of it at the time. The official's description of the man coincides more or less' with that given by the girl of her assailant. He is stated to be sft. 7in. in height, of medium build, ruddy complexion, clean shaven, and about 30 years of age.

This Is by no means' the first assault that has taken place in the locality, several other outrages having been attempted there during the last twelve month's.