Prison Sentence For Assault Upon Iwitahi Girl Aged 13

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 287, 8 August 1957, Page 6

Prison Sentence For Assault

Upon Iwitahi Girl Aged 13

Two months gaol for indecent assault upon a girl of 13, and 12 months probation on a second charge concerning the same girl, were imposed on Gerald Joyce, 36, of Iwitahi, by Mr W. A. Harlow, S.M., in Taupo Police Court. Joyce had pleaded guilty to the two offences. The first occurred in a garage 011 May 19, and the second in a lavatory on May 22. Accused was represented by Mr J. H. L. Corry. . Sergeant N. C. .Water s, wTho prosecu ted, said that late in May last accused's wife was confined at a maternity hospital. He and some of his 11 children were at home by themselves at Iwitahi. On Sunday, May 19, com-

plainant was sent by lier father to go 1:0 accused's home for an axe which had been left there. Accused attempted to have carnal knowledge of her. The offence was repeated three days later. A month later. as the result of a complamt, a doctor examined her, and he found evidence of interference. Mr Waters and Senior-Deiective W. A. Sharp, of Rotorua, interviewed Joyce, and as a result he was charged with indecent assault. DEFENCE SUBMISSIONS Mr Corry said Joyce told hiin the girl had been continually hanging round his house, and that she had boasted to other children about her experlences with boys in Hawke's Bay. "Defendant. thinks that drink is mainly to blame ; when the first offence occurred he was drunk," counsel said. Since then he had not had a drink. Possibly probation would serve a good* purpose. Mr Harlow said young girls must be protected; it was the duty of adult malcs to protect them, not take advantage of their vveakness. He laid down strict terms for his probationary period after Joyee came out of gaol ; if they were broken, Joyce would be punished, Mr Harlow said.