PECULIAR ASSAULT CASE

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 71, 22 September 1915, Page 8

PECULIAR ASSAULT CASE

There were some peculiar features attached to an assault case heard before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day. Frederick George Thurston was charged with assaulting a wharf labourer, Edmond Rotheram, on Saturday night last. According to a small boy, William Letham, accused was seen to pick up a large piece of concrete and deliberately, and without provocation, throw it at Rotheram. Accused ran off, but was afterwards secured by a constable. In giving evidence Rotheram stated that he said nothing to accused, who, as far as he was concerned, was a total stranger. Earlier in the evening, according .to another • witness, accused struck at a man other, than Rotheram, and was ejected from an hotel bar. When Sergeant Fitzpatrick arrived on the scene, Rotheram was unconscious and bleeding. As Dr. Hamilton Gilmer discovered later, Rotheram's injuries included several severe cuts and abrasions about the face and head and a broken arm. The injured man is still under treatment. All the above particulars were corroborated by several witnesses, and accused had no questions to ask. He pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, bail was allowed in the sum of £80.

Much time was occupied by Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day in the hearing of an indictable charge against a' young man named Frederick Brown, who, it was alleged, had, with intent to defraud, falsely represented himself to be the absolute owner of certain chattels free from encumbrances, and obtained the sum of £30 from Arthur John Hoare. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr. P. W. Jackson. The trouble arose* out of the sale of a confectionery business known as "The Toledo," in Manners-street. In April, 1914, Alfred Atkinson, proprietor of the business, was introduced to accused as a possible purchaser of the business, and ultimately a purchase was effected, at approximately £132, which covered the business, stock, furniture, and fittings. Accus%d paid £70 cash, and the balance was covered by a bill of sale. Unexpectedly Brown was obliged to quit. He sold the business, and incidentally, so it was alleged, the goods covered by the bill. Mr. Jackson's cross-examination was in the direction of showing mitigating circumstances. Finally, he submitted that a prima facie case had not been made out, but his Worship said that the matter was one for a jury to decied upon. Brown was accordingly committed *to the Supreme Court for trial, bail being renewed in the sum of £50. The old squire was a great efiter. He sat down to the loaded table mm* heartily attacked a haunch of venison. ' ''This will make a capital stew to-morrow," he remarked to his butler, as he helpjed himself for th© fourth time. "It will, sir," agreed tb* man, "if you leave off new,