STABBED IN THE FACE.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 240, 11 October 1888, Page 5

STABBED IN THE FACE.

A man named Michael Burke was charged ab the Police Court this morning, before Messrs "W. Duncan and W. Dinnison, justices, with huving unlawfully wounded one Charles Taylor by stabbing him in the face with a knife, with intent thereby to do him bodily harm.

Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Sergcanb-Major Pratt conducted the case for the prosecution. Charles Taylor deposed that he was a draper, residing at Collins' boarding-house, Queen-street. He had recently arrived from Whangarei! . He knew a woman named Mary Ann Edwards. He visited her house in Chancery Lane on Tuesday night. A little after 10 o'clock Mrs Edwards went to a neighbour's house. Shortly afterwards he heard her calling- out ''Charlie." Witness ran, across? the road to another house, which be entered. He there saw, the prisoner and the woman. He did not know her. name, as he had not met ber before. The woman called, for assistance and he saw the prisoner knocking her about, with, an iron bar, Witness tried to get hold of the bar. Witness did nob notice thab the prisoner had a knife until he received the blow. Witness was also sbruck across the arm with the bar. Ib was after the bar was thrown aside that witness was sbruck in the face. The wound bled profusely, and witness was pushed outside. He was subsequently taken to Dr. Hooper, who examined him. Witness had never seen the prisoner before. .

Mrs Mary Ann Edwards deposed that she resided off Chancery street. The prisoner resided in tbe next house, and about 9.30 o'clock she went there to get her corkscrew. The prisoner called her inside. He bad a knife in ono hand and an iron bar, in the other. He struck her with the. bar. Witness called out to Charlie to come to help, her. Charlie came in and Mick- struck him across the arm with tho bar. Mick then struck him on the cbeek with the knife. She saw blood on Charlie's face. They both then went down to tho police. Witness identified the knife and iron bar produced in Court as being the property of the

prisoner. Constable Hansen deposed to accompanying the first witness to the prisoner's house in Chancery Lane. Taylor was bleeding from the left check. Upon arriving at tho house he found the door locked. When he asked for admission the accused said, "The first man that enters my door will be a dead man, I have an iron bar in my hand." Witness told him that he waa a constable. Prisoner'replied ".don't cafe for all the -— in Auckland.' After about fiye minutes prisoner opened the door. He said that he had not stabbed Taylor. Witness asked for the knife and the prisoner handed him the pocket knife produced, which he took out of a coat hanging close to the door. Witness arrested' the prisoner and sent Taylor to Dr. Hooper. Prisoner admitted having struck Taylor with the bar, but denied having used the knife. Taylor appeared to have been drinking. Prisoner was perfectly sober. Dr. J. H. Hoopsr deposed to having attended to Taylor's wound. It was about rive-eighths of an inch in length, exbending downwards towards the mouth. It seemed to have, been caused by a blunt knile. He did not consider the wound dangerous. He scarcely thought that the bar could have made the wound.

This concluded the case for the prosecution. •■•'■"'-'"" '•-.'•'--•

The Bench decided to deal with the case summarily as an'aggravated assault under the Ofleneea Against the Persons Act, 1867, section 39. "

Thomas Mahoney was called for the defence. He deposed that he was' in prisoner'^ ho ilse when the assault was coimaittedii'-;He did nobtfee prisoner use a knife at all. He heard prisoner tell Mary Ann:Edwarda to go out of his house. Witness did nob see prisoner strike the woman. Witness did not see the man Taylor. By Sergeant-Major Pratt: Witneta was upstairs during the whole time.' He heard the words, but saw nothing.

The Bench sentenced the prisoner to two months' imprisonment with hard labour, or to pay £10 and costs. "'■•* - -