SERIOUS OFFENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2722, 17 April 1924, Page 2

SERIOUS OFFENCE.

GRAVE CHARGE AGAINST YOUTH. SEQUEL TO IIONGOTEA OUTRAGE. Palmerston N., Yesterday. At the Police Court to-day before Messrs W. McKenzie and W. G. Ashworth, J.’sP., Owen Richard Healey, aged 17 years, was charged that, on April ]O, at Ivaimatatrau, Kongotea, he did commit a serious offence on a married woman. He was further charged that, on April 10, at the same time and place, he unlawfully and without colour of right, but not so as to he guilty of theft, within the meaning of the Crimes Act, convert to his own use a motor cycle and side-chair, the property of his employer (the husband of the lady referred to in the first charge). Detective-Sergeant Quirke conducted the euse for the police. Accused was not represented by counsel. The case was heard behind closed door's.

On the second charge accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. Accused it was explained to the Bench, took the motor cycle to escape the consequences of the offence mentioned in the first charge. The hearing of evidence on the first charge was then^iroe ceded with.

The lady against whom the offence was committed then gave evidence. She resided at Kaimatarau, Rongotea, with her husband and she knew the accused who had worked on her husband’s farm for the past year. Accused had lived in the house. On April 10, at about one o'clock witness served lunch, half an hour after which her husband left the house to visit a neighbour. Accused was sent to his work, bul about twenty minutes later lie returned to the house. Witness was putting (lie baby to bed at the time. She heard a noise behind her and saw accused standing in the doorway. He was fully dressed hut did not have his hoots on. Accused caught hold of witness by the right arm and left shoulder. She had some sewing in her hand nnd.he told witness to [int the needle down. He ' ! ini threw her on the floor and again -told her to let go of the needle. Witness said she would if accused would release her. She began to scream and accused dragged her into the dining room where lie tied

wii-c^s*: '•■■•ists ;md hound a piece of black (doth round her bead. Wit- ■ c-s G en detailed the assault. At the close of witness’s evidence hocused, asked if he had anything jo -,'v. -aid lie did not tie the id..;li i ,1 the witness’? eyes. Dr. Beit stated that the previous witness was suffering from nnmi- lirif’ses about the body and arms. The bruises and other in•’lrb’s wore consistent with the -'clement made by her to the Court. At this stage Detective Sergeant Quirke asked the Bench to make an order prohibiting the publication of the female witnesses’ names. The request was granted. A lady who resided near the Indy against whom the offence was committed stated that on the day in question she had come oyer to witness’s house. She was in an agitated condition and told witness that the accused had tied her wrists together and insulted her. Witness returned with her neighbour and waited until the husband returned home. Detective Holmes stated that, in consequence of information received about A p.m. on April Ifl. he accompanied Detective-Sergeant Quirl;c to the house of the lady against whom Ibo offence was committed. Fie saw the lady who was in a distressed slate and there were bruises a limit her grins. She made a cmg’ilaint that the offence had been committed. The furniture in the sitting room and dining room suggested that a struggle had taken place. Tn the middle of the sitting room floor a hat (produced) was found. A black rag (produced) was lying in the doorway near the sittingroom. Witness made enquiries and learned that accused had left the district. On April 14 he took over the accused from the Masterton police. He subsequently made a stall ment.jn .which he said that on the morning of (lie offence he made up hi- mind fo commit the offence and prepared the piece of rag and flic twine. After lunch the lady’s husband left to visit n neighbour and "crust'd went hack to the house '•'bee lie saw the Indy and commit# led flu*, offence. There had never a"y intimnev h tween accused ""1 the lady. After (lie offence acm'seil left on his employer’s motor' ••vole a'id proceeded to Foxton then Shannon and via (lie Huff to Mu>iei:foii. where lie surrendered to lc poke * on Sunday aftemou. This i meludod the ease for the ooliee. Asked if lie wished to sav nnyllcog accused replied'in the negative. Accused pleaded guilty and was ri.minified to the Supreme Pourf at Wellington for sentence.