A SERIOUS CHARGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81848, 19 September 1906, Page 2

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

When Robert McLean, alias Harry -Sheep, aged 31, a dejected and forlorn-looking individual, took his place in tile dock on Tuesday iqori)tng at the Xew Plymouth Police Court, jo answer the charge of at tempted rape on a sult'cr's wife at Hie Maioio road, off the Main North road beyond Waitara, Sergeant lladdrell asked tliat the court be cleared. One or two members of the public promptly retired, and the body of the court was empty. Sergeant llacldrell then outlined the facts of the case for the prosecution. The informant Charles Rumba l was a settler 011 the Matoro road. On the 31st insfj Jatc in the afternoon, a man, looking weak and in a stata of destitution, arrived at ue farm and asked for shelter. Out of pity lie was kept there for a few days, doing odd jobs about the place. One day the settler had occasion to take some cattle to the Urenui saleyards, and left Itis wife at home, the tramp working in a paddock not far from lhc house. At lunch time the man came ; n a nd had his meal, and before leaving said he had seen a row or calf jn trouble in the bush. 11.0 w,uihd investigate, arid tell the woman later" if anything- could be done, lie went au.iv, and returned in about halt an liour, "telling a stoi'ythai th»- beast watt raught in the supplejacks. This was a common occur rence ml a bush farm, and Mrs. Runibal seemed to know what to do, volunteering to assist in extricating the animal. She suggestd getting a rope, but the man said that was not iiecssaiy. Neither would she require a knife, for he had the axe down there. She went with him over '!)' hill to\ya;ds a piece of bush. "Where: is it?" uhe asked. The man pointed! in a certain direction, and glue'slarletj. off to lead the way, stepping in front. A few paces further, the charity guest caught her from behind, threw her down, and attempted to commit the offence aileged in the information. The woman, however, was able -.to 'best" him, and lie cleared off across eounUi, , being caught on 'lie iie,\r day, aii;l sevuef- chastised by •Mr Rumba'. When arrested, the a- - cjiseH said he was sorry for' what hj»; Had dune, and that lie deServed his' punishment. I'ri.snner pleaded guilty, and wat- 1 committed [0 the Supreme Court lot sentence. Sergeant lladdrell, in suggesting that the man be sent to the Auckland sessions, mentioned that he was "wanted'' on the charge of attempt ing rape at Katikati in March last. The S.M. said that would not alien ;lie caThe other charge would doni.tless bo the subjet of another trial