Preece Family Tree

STORY OF FIGHT WITH INTRUDER

WOMAN TEACHER'S ALLEGATION

HOUSEBREAKING CHARGE

Thomas Davies was committed for trial at the assizes by Ystrad magistrated on Monday, charged with breaking and entering a house in Brithweunydd-road, Trealaw.

An accusation of assaulting the occupant, Margaret Irene John, a school-teacher, was dismissed.

Mr. Harold Rees (Messrs. W. R. Davies and Co., Pontypridd) prosecuted, and Mr. D. Leonard Davies (Messrs. Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas, Pontypridd) appeared for Davies.

Miss John said: "Between five and six a.m. I was startled by something over my face. I looked round and saw a strange man in the room. The man closed my mouth with his hand and I struggled up to a sitting position. I struggled off the bed and the clothes came with me. He was knocking me with his right hand in my face. I fell to the floor and then I struggled up. The man was quite close and said something about money.

IDENTIFICATION PARADE.

"I got my torch from the dressing-table with my left hand. I flashed it in the face of the man. His face was covered from his nose down with a handkerchief or scarf. He asked me for 3s. for a night's lodgings and he struck me in the upper part of the body.

"Then he left and I put on my dressing gown and shoes and went and aroused my neighbours."

She added that no money was taken and a window was partly open. Later in the day she attended an identification parade at Tonypandy Police-station and identified the prisoner as the man she saw in her bedroom.

When charged Davies told the court, "I reserve my defence."

Davies was also committed for trial on charges of breaking and entering the house of the Rev. R. J. Barker, and alos a carpenter's shop.

Bail was refused.