CURIOUS ASSAULT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 169, 22 August 1914, Page 3

CURIOUS ASSAULT.

OBJECTION TO POSTCARDS. ______ f A remarkable case was heard at Blackpool (England) Police Court recently, when Lionel Benjamin, of London, a white-haired man who was said to be a journalist, was charged, with assaulting a fancy goods dealer named Peter Long. For the prosecution it was stated that a girl named Agnes Greaves was employed by a Mr Taylor, a dealer in picture postcards, who had a shop in Bairstow Street and a stall in the Big Wheel Grounds. The defendant had paid several visits to the girl and had told her that she was meddling with filth, and that if she'did uot get clear? of it some of it would stick. Later he wrote her a letter urging her to get out of her present employment for the j sake of her reputation. The girl was terrified of him, and did not keep an appointment to meet him at Talbot Road station. He went to the Great Wheel grounds and was talking to her when Long, the complainant, at the request of Mr Taylor, asked him to leave her alone. Benjamin struck him on the head with a stick, knocked him down, and kicked him in the stomach. He called him a thief and an associate of thieves, and then went out into the street and blew a policeman's whistle, attracting a large crowd. When the police arrived Benjamin gave Long into custody as a pickpocket. Peter Long, of 101 Peter Street j/ Blackpool, fancy goods dealer, corrobor-i ated. He said that at 6.45 p.m., hearing the defendant talking to the girl Agnes Greaves, he asked him to leave her alone. The defendant turned on him and committed the assault.

It was stated that the police on inspecting the shop found nothing objectionable' there. For the defence Mr Robinson stated that Benjamin had gone to the Great Wheel Grounds with the intention of inviting the girl to get out of the atmosphere and environment of obscene post cards. His client had actually reported the case to the police, and his sole motive was to help the girl. He had taken upon himself a public duty that many would not have taken upon themselves;.

The defendant, on oath, said he was first struck by Long, and in making his way out of. a crowd of professional mobsmen, after losing 18/- from his pocket, his stick caught Long's head. In answer to Mr Woosman, for the prosecution, the defendant said "he came to Blackpool from & little village called London." When Mr Woosman questioned hirri as to his conduct and why he went into a rage, he replied, "Rage keeps me alive. It is as good as mother's milk." The Bench considered that an aggravated assault had been committed, and imposed a fine of £f> and costs, or in default two months' imprisonment, and dismissed a cross-summons. The defendant dramatically exclaimed; "I don't accept that; I shall appeal to the High Court."