GIRL'S TERROR

NZ Truth, Issue 1153, 5 January 1928, Page 7

GIRL'S TERROR

Why She Refused

To Answer

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Gisborne Rep.)

•"The mother told the girl she would skin her alive if she said anything," was the somewhat startling statement made by the police when an 11 -year-old girl showed reluctance in the witnessbox to answer questions relating to an alleged offence against her.

"THE case was one in which a youth; 1 Percy Raggett, 17 years of age, was charged with assaulting a boy eight years of age and further with assaulting the. little girl.

On the former charge evidence was given by the boy concerned and by three companions. Rc^ggett was cominilted for. trial.

The second charge was proceeded with after an adjournment of the court and the little girl started to give her evidence without any trouble.

Then she declined to admit the accuracy of questions put to her

and when she persisted in this at-

titude Magistrate Levvey asked

"Has anyone frightened you?"

"Yes," answered, the girl, and in answer to a further question as to whom, replied: "My mother."

When told of the threat made by the mother, the magistrate asked if she was in court, but was told that she had refused to come near the court.

Evidence, however, was forth -

coming from the boys who were witnesses in the previous charge

and who deposed to having been

present- when the second offence was committed.

The accused, they stated, gave them a bag of chocolates so that they would not tell what they had seen.

' Raggett was committed for trial, bail being allowed in the sum of £100.