"PEEPING TOM."

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1916, Page 3

"PEEPING TOM."

■ A PROWLER SENTENCED. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Mr. A. Crooke. S.M., William Jos«pU Smyth was charged, r.mlcr the Police Offences Act, with being a rogue and vagabond, and with being illegally on the premises of Conycrs Peach, Molesworth street, New Plymouth. Mr. Hutclicn appeared for defendant, and Sergeant Bowden prosecuted. Constable Blaikie deposed to being called to the premises of Mr. Peach at 12 o'clock on Monday night. Mu. Peach and her daughter answered his call. While talking to them at 12.50 a.m., they said that the man was still about. Witness heard a sound, and saw accused disappear round the corner of the verandah. Witness chased accused, who had a pice: l of wood (produced) in his hand, and said "Stand, 111 brain you." Witness grappled with accused, and arrested him. Asked him what he was doing [there, and he said that he was looking for another man whom he had seen going in about ten minutes previously. Took accused to the back of the house where everything appeared to in order. Accused seemed to know perfectly the surroundings of the house, the catches of the gates, and footpaths. Accused was quite sober. Ada Mary Peach, residing at the corner of Molesworth street and Little fiover street, said that she and her daughters were alone in the house on Monday night. Her daughters and she distinctly heard footsteps in the yard. First heard them about 10.45 and from that time the man was prowling round till ten minutes to one, when the police arrived. Identified the piece of wood as a bit similar to the wood she was burning in the house Defendant had no right on the premises. To Mr. Hutchen:—Was not aware that defendant was a casual employee of the Railway Department. To the sergeant:—lt is not usual for railway employees to go to Mr. Peach's residence. I Nancy Isla Peach gave corroborative evidence, and identified the accused. Defendant, who elected to be sworn, said that he was a casual employee in the railway goods sheds. He was going home late on Monday night, and when nearing Peach's house he saw a man hurrying along in front of him and disappear into Peach's property. He saw the man go round to the back of the house and he took up a piece of wood in ease the man attacked him. The man disappeared, and he (defendant) got o\er the fence, but came back and went round the house to see if anyonewas about. As he stepped off the verandah he saw the constable, and, thinking the latter was the man he was pursuing he said. "I'll brain you." Then herecognised the tunic and buttons, and submitted to arrest. Accused, who was severely eross-ex- [ amined by the sergeant, admitted that he had h'oen previously convicted of a . similar charge. ' His Worship said that he was quite satisfied defendant's story was an un- , true one, and that he had been prowling round the house for no good purpose. I Accused would be sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labor.