A PUBLIC MENACE

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17419, 1 April 1922, Page 12

A PUBLIC MENACE

SERIES OF PECULIAR ASSAULTS. SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, March 31. "I want to 6ay straight away tikis man is a menace to srx:iety and a menace to tho public of "Wellington." This -was tho opening statement made by Sub-Inspector McNamara in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when one of the most peculiar cases heard for some considerable time came before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M. An eccentric-looking person named Maurice Tangney, who described himself as an agent, was called on to answer four charges of common assault and fou.' alternative charges under the by-laws of behaving in a manner calculated to frighten t'he public. Tangney pleaded not guilty to all tho charges. Sub-Inspector McNamara, who conducted the case for the police, said: Tangney has been a menace to society for a. very long time, his file dating b.ick for over a year. Women cannot walk along tho street, especially if they happen to be good-looking or well-dressed, without this man following them, bump- ' ing into them, breathing on them, squealing, or something of that sort. He is charged with assaulting four ladies of the highest standing in Wellington, and there are probably a hundred women who have been interfered with in the street by this man. I will call the ladies,, and if your Worship does not consider that assaults have been committed, probably you will say an offence has been committed under bylaw 14, section 48. Interference, however slight, with persons in a public plf-co is an offence. A lady residing in Kelburn was called by the sub-inspector. She said that she saw tho accused in Kelburn. Ho crossed over to her side of tho street, brushed against her, and cougjlied. Accused was looking into her face when he coughed. Witness said she had seen aocuscd'twice previously, and on each of these occasions he came unpleasantly near to her. Tangney: Why do you mention this day particularly ? You used to see me every day?— You pushed, me on tho 27th, and came much closer than on any other occasion. Tangney: Do you know what assault is? Mr Hunt: That's a matter you can discuss with me. Tangney entered tho box and said he was an agent. He bought and sold properties. You are a man of property, then? — Oh, yes. Accused: I have met this lady every day for the last twelve months, and I have never bumped into her. I don't remember having assaulted her. My conscience is perfectly clear on this matter. It has to be a deliberate act to constitute an assault. The Sub-Inspector: I suppose you got a terrible shock when you received a summons?— Yes, I did. You never expe'bted to be in the Police Court? —No. Were you seen by a policeman on January Bth, and warned to give up this practice of breathing on ladies? — I was. Were you at the race club baif? — I was. Were you thrown out of the building?— Yes. What were you thrown out for?—l don't know. Was it because you crept up behind a seat and pinched some women —some chaperones?—No. I was in the supper room. The secretary told me the reason I had to leave was because I had no ticket. " Mr Hunt: How did you get in in the first place?—l bought ticlcets from a man, and I paid £2 10s for them, too. They were only worth £2 2a. I have be?n to every ball for the last five years. Mr Hunt: Well, you won't go to another I think. Sub-Inspector McNamara: Is it a fact that one night early this month you Tver© kneeling down outside a private hospital in Abel Smith street looking in a window ?—No, it is not. Sub-Inspector McNamara: Well, I was there and saw you. j

Defendant had ho witnesses. The Magistrate decided to convict and reserved sentence until the other cases had been heard.

Another witness said th|it on March 3rd she was Walking along Lambton quay when defendant, who was on the other side of the footpath, suddenly made a dash at her as if he were going to violently assault her. Witness jumped out of his 'way and defendant made a violent noise. 'langney was in the- liabit of stopping in front of her and trying to stop Tier from getting past. Just a day or so ago she met defendant, who on this occasion acted Tike fi little child and pulled a face. (Laughter.) Sub-lns{>ector McNanaara: He had received his summons then." Tangney was convicted on this charge also. Two other young ladies blbo gave evidence as to the unwelcome attentions paid them by Tangney. In the case of one a conviction Was entered, under the by-laws, and in the case of the other the Magistrate considered that an assault had been proved. Sub-Inspector McNamara said the cases had been brought in order to rid the town of a menace to society. Tangney: I have been in Wellington for three years and I was shocked to hear the charges of assault. Mr Huntr You'll get another shock in a minute. Constable Thorn gave evidence to the effect that he had known defendant for two years and a half and looked upon him as a pest. He was a "Peeping Tom." The Magistrate sentenced Tangney to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.