ASSAULT CHARGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 284, 17 March 1941, Page 5

ASSAULT CHARGE

MAORI GAOLED

OFFENCE AT THORNTON,

After having been in custody on remand i'or a fortnight, Sonny Davis, a native labourer, aged 21 years, of Thornton, appeared in 111': local court on Friday before Messrs L. H. Brown and J. G. Mulholland, J'sP., on a charge of assault. The charge which had at first been one of unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl of thirteen years was reduced on the application of the Police co one of common assault.

Mr G. Otlcy appeared for the accused and entered a plea of guilty.

Conducting the Police case, Sergeant M. Farrcll stated that the girl against whom the offence had been committed was the accused sister-in-law, and she had been staying at Ruatoki and the young man had been sent by his father to bring her home. On the journey the car lights had failed and instead of taking the girl to her usual homo Davis had taken her to his camp.

His conduct had been good until the morning when he went to the girl's room to wake her. He had then committed the offence which had brought him before the Court. Sergeant Farrell continued to state that the accused was a good worker and that his employer had expressed Avillingncss to take him back. The man had only once been in very minor trouble and bore a good reputation. The Sergeant pointed out to the Bench that Davis had already served 14 days in gaol.

Mr Otley made a plea for a light penalty pointing out that Davis bore a good reputation and that having been in custody for 14 days he would no doubt have learned a ic c son that he would remember.

Impressing upon the accused that he must learn that Maori girls had to be protected and that it was his duty to see that they were not molested the Bench sentenced the atcused to 28 days in the Whakatane gaol.