BRUTAL ASSAULT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3751, 7 February 1928, Page 3

BRUTAL ASSAULT.

YOUNG LADY ATTACKED IN ARAPAEPAE ROAD.

AN ARREST MADE,

A serious occurrence fortunately of a type rare in this district, is reported to have taken place at a residence in Arapaepae Rd., Weraroa, about midnight, on Saturday, says the Levin Chronicle. The occupier of the house, Mr J. Galloway, had gone away on Saturday to the Hutt, where Mrs Galloway had been ill, leaving in charge Miss Westbrook, a young lady of 24. On Saturday evening Miss Westbrook was alone in the house and retired at the usual hour. Later on a lad, aged about lfii, who was working on the place, returned from town', where he had been spending the evening. He occupied a room is another part of the house. The first recollection the young lady has of subsequent events, was waking lip suddenly about midnight to find that some person was in her room. She screamed and something was placed over her face and held there for a time despite her struggles. The intruder then left, the room, leaving her dazed and semi-conseious. A little later the lad came to the room and asked what was the matter. When the light was turned on it. was found that Miss Westbrook had been struck a heavy blow on the forehead, and blood was issuing freely from an ugly wound. With the assistance of the lad the wound was attended to and the sufferer remained in the room till daylight, as she was unacquainted with the neighbourhood and the lad would not go for assistance. When it was light she made her way to Mr Gapper’s residence, some distance away, where Mrs Gapper did what she could for the sufferer, and summoned medical aid, the occurrence being also reported to the police. Dr Thompson was ' soon on the scene and dressed the wound, which required three stitches.

Constable Bagrie investigated the matter early on Sunday morning but, on seeking to interview the youth referred to above, found that lie had disappeared. He was afterwards located in the vicinity of tho river at Kimberley, having previously taken a horse from a paddock. It is understood that lie subsequently admitted having been the perpetrator of the assault, stating that his motive was robbery. He produced half a pick-handle, about 15 inches in length as the weapon used. He was taken into custody and will come before the children’s court, his age bringing him within the scope of the Juvenile Offenders’ Act. Miss Westbrook, though she lost a great deal of blood and received a severe shock, is making satisfactory progress .after her alarming experience.