MASSAGED THE GIRL'S LEGS

NZ Truth, Issue 1188, 6 September 1928, Page 5

MASSAGED THE GIRL'S LEGS

r . . (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) ALTHOUGH he learned later that the evidence was weak, Phillip **! Wheian Durragh decided to plead guilty to a charge of aggravated assault upon a girl of eleven when, he appeared m the Auckland Police Court before Magistrate McKean last week.. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent assault on the girl v and»this charge was withdrawn. When the magistrate summed up the case, he told Durragh that he Would have to convict him, as he had pleaded guilty, but the evidence was hardly sufficient to bear out the charge. There was no doubt, however, that there had been an assault, but what had happened was not serious and he did not intend to send accused to gaol. Durragh is a dancing teacher, and during his wanderings he found his way to Thames, where he set up m business. Two little girls, both under 16 years, appeared at his "studio" m due course, and it was re- ■' garding one of these that the charge was lai'dv Durragh said that he would massage the legs of one of the children . and placed her on a table. "I had.', ho intention of anything indecent," ,' he explained. "There was another girl there at the time. I rubbed her on the calves of the legs;. -I had no intention of doing anything more. I have never been m trouble before;" His Worship: Any such intention .with a child of this age is serious. How long have you been m New Zealand? — Thirty-eight" ■ ■' years' ,■".".- i :.'.'■..■■' ' ' After the S.M. had adjourned the case for afew minutes, he ordered accused to come up for sentence when called upon within twelve months, i saying: "Let this be a lesson to you." Durragh:. "Absolutely, your'; wofahipi.*