ANNOYING CONDUCT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1931, Page 6

ANNOYING CONDUCT

YOUTH PESTERS FAMILY. AFFECTION FOR GIRL. I , WELLINGTON, December 5. Recently released from prison, where he was sentenced to three months because of his continued trespassing on Alfred Leask’s property, and molesting his seventeen year old daughter, Arthur Stratton, a young man, appeared in the Lower Hutt Police Gduit yesterday befor© Air W. H. Woodward, S.M. in connection with a continuance of the offences. He had been warned by the police to keep away from the house.

It was stated that he went to prison because he could not find the £SO for himself, and a surety of £SO, as a guarantee that he would keep the peace. Yesterday he was ordered to find £25 and a surety of £25, it being made a condition that he return to his home at Levin. Default was fixed, at one month’s imprisonment. A repetition of the offence Avonld he met with imprisonment without the option. “Stratton is a menace to the people about in Mr Leask’s locality,” said Sergeant McHolm. “As he walks along the street, taking his hat off, and putting it on again, he looks a weird sort of a chap. My own opinion is he is harmless. He is not normal, although he is not a fit subject to he detained. He has an interest in a farm at Levin, but he will not go back... Something or somebody, tells him lie is in love l h this seventeen years girl.”

To a question from the magistrate as to whether he intended to continue this trespass' and molestation, Stratton said ■he did not want to, but that the girl had > encouraged him when she was at Levin. ’ He was in love with her. ,

The Magistrate: If the girl won’t have you, you had better forget her. “I can’t forget her,” replied Strat-

Tlie magistrate: The best way if you can’t forget is to go and have a look at other girls. Stratton: She has not told me she does not want me.

“I have kicked him out of the house,” said Mr Leask, “and he won’t take any notice. He walks into the house when I am out. He frightens the girl. Stratton: She was not frightened of me at Levin.

“He says he wants the girl, and will not take any notice of me,” continued Leask. “I can’t go on like this. All the street is frightened now. You would think it was a circus down the street. * You see people hanging on to their gates by the dozens.”

The magistrate urged Stratton to roturh To .Levin.;.tha.t night and not come back.;-. ,’L. „ ’.