WOMAN ASSAULTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 20, 23 February 1942, Page 5

WOMAN ASSAULTED

INCIDENT AT WAIMANA TWO YOUNG MEN GAOLED Gaol sentences were imposed! j on two young Maoris, of Waimaria, when they appeared before the local court on Friday charged with assaulting a young woman, Victoria Kora. The ac- ; cused were Moai Tihii and Te WhetUi Tumarae and! the penalties were imposed! by Messrs G. A. Brabant and J. King, J's.P. Detective-Sergeant R. H. Waterson conducted the case for the police' and stated to the Bench that the young woman aged 18 years was walking to her home after having attended the theatre at Waimana. She was accompanied by some young children and as she passed a gate the two accused accosted her. One man, Tumarae, it was alleged placed a hand over her mouth while Tihi assisted to drag her through a gate. Continuing, the Detective stated that fortunately the children called out and another person came to the young woman's aid and she escaped from her assailants. When approached later by Constable 0 1 . S. Rice, ')f Tanoatua. the two accused had admitted the facts and that they had intent to commit n mare serious crime. Mr Waterson stated that the assault was aggravated and things were in a bad state when young girls could not walk along the streets without being molested. When visiting Waimana with Constable Rice lie had received a complaint from another 3'oung woman regarding one of the accused and probably more could be heard of that. In conclusion he stated that young women must be protected and he pointed out that Tihi had previously been before the Court and served one month for theft. Tumarae had not been in trouble before and was a married man. The Bench took a serious view of the offences and stated that such behaviour would be stopped. Tihi was sentenced to two months' goal ?tt Mount Eden and the other accused to one month in the Whakatane Police gaol.