A PEEPING TOM.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1922, Page 3

A PEEPING TOM.

SERIES OF PECULIAR ASSAULTS

SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT

WELLINGTON, March. 31

11 I want to say straight away this man is a menace to society and a menace to the public of Wellington.” , . This was tlie 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 Tangnev, who described himself as an agent, was called on to answer four charges of common assault and four alternative charges under the by-laws of behaving in'a manner calculated to frighten the public. Tangney pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Sub-Inspector McNamara, who conducted the case for the police, said: Tagney lias been a menace to society for a very long time, his file dating back for over a year. Women cannot walk along the street, especially if they happen to be good-looking or well-dressed, without this man following them, humping into them, breathing on them, squealing, nr 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. 1 will call the ladies, and if,your Worship does not consider that assaults have been committed probably you will say an offence lias been committed under bylaw 14, section 48. Interference, however light, with persons in a public place is an offence. A lady residing in Kelburn was called by the sub-inspector. She said that she saw the accused in Kelburn. He crossed over to her side of tlie street, brushed against her, and coughed. Accused was looking into her face when lie coughed. Witness said she had seen accused twice previously, and on each of these occasions Ik* came unpleasantly near to her.

Tangney: Why do you mention this day particularly? You used to see me even- day?—You pushed me on the 27th, and came much closer than on any other occasion. Tangney: Do von know what assault is ? Mr Hunt: That’s a matter you can discuss with me. Tangney entered the box and said he was an agent. He bought and sold properties. You are a man of property, then? — Oh, yes. Accused: 1 have met this lady every day for the lasi twelve month.-, and I have never bumped in'o her. 1 don’t remember having assaulted her. M\ conscience is pen ctly clear on this matter. ft has to be a deliberate act to constitute an assault. The Suh-1 lisp.'dor: I suppose you goi a terrible shock when you leeened a summons? —Yes, 1 did. You never expected to be in the Police Court? —No. Were you sen by a policeman o”. January Bth, and wirned to give no this practice-of breathing, on Indies? ■ I was. Were you at the race (T'b ball.---- 1 was. Were vo” thrown out of t' e building?—Yes. What were you I brown out tort 1 don’t know. Was it Lucans* you creid up behind a seat and pinched some women some chaperones?—No. I was in the supper room. The secretary told me the reason 1 had do leave was because 1 had no ticket. Mr Hunt: How did you get in m the first place?—l bought tickets from a man, and I paid £2 10s for them, too. They were only worth £2 2s. I have been to every ball for the last five years. Mr Hunt.: Well, von won’t go to allot tier 1 think.

Sub-I nspeel or McNamara: L it a fact that one night early this month von were 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. Defendant had no witnesses. The Magistrate decided to convict an 1 reserved sentence until the ntlici cases had been heard. Another witness said that on Mare 1 3rd she was walking along On ay when defendant, who was on the other side of the footpath, suddenly made a dash at her as if he were going t„ violently assault her. Witness jumped out of his way and defendant made a violent noise. Tangney was m habit of stopping in front of her and trving to stop her from getting past. ' Just a day of so ago she met defendant, who on this occasion acted like a little chil l and pulled a face. (Laughter). Sub-Inspector McNamara: He bat received bis summons then. Tangnev was convicted on this charge also.

Two other young ladies, also gave evidence as to the unwelcome attentions paid the mby Tagney. In the ease 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 ud the town of a menace to society.

Tangney : I have been in Wellington for three years and 1 was shocked to hear the charges of assault. Mr fluid : You’ll get another shock in a mimit".

Constable Thom gave evidence to the effect that lie had known defendant for two >ear- ar, 1 a half anl looked upon him as a pest. He was a 1 ! coping Toni.” The Magistrate sentenced Tangney 10 six months’ imprisonment with haul labour.