ASSAULTING THE POLICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 299, 17 December 1889, Page 5

ASSAULTING THE POLICE.

ROUGH TREATMENT OF CONSTABLE McCOY.

Michael O'Brien was charged at the Police Court to-day with having been drunk, also with having used obscene language, assaulting Constable McCoy, and with having damaged the uniform of Constable McCoy to the extent of 10a. Prisoner pleaded guilty to all but the obscene language'and damaging the uniform. Alexander McNaughton was charged with having at the same time obstructed Constable McCoy whilst in the execution of his duty, also with having assaulted him, and damaging his uniform. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Inspector Broham auked that in this case His Worship should deal with it under Clause 16 or the Justices of the Peace Act, and call upon them to find sureties for future good behaviour. Constable McCoy deposed that at 3p.no. on Tuesday, thelOthinstant,he arrested O'Brien for being drunk. McNaughton ausaulted him, and then O'Brien struck him. Witness vyas badly cut. Ultimately, with the assistance of Constable Maekay, both prisoners were takeja: into custody. Constable Maekay gave evidence as to the obscene language. £>r. Giles said that this appeared like an habitual practice of the prisoners, as they were only' just out of. prison for a similar offence. Under such circumstances he must deal with the prisoners severely in the interests of public peace and to protect the police. He sentenced each prisoner to three months'imprisonmentwith hard labour, and also ordered them to find two sureties in £10 each that they would keep the peace for six months from the present date. As a matter of form, O'Brien was also fined £1 for having been drunk, and sentenced to seven days' hard labour for having used

obacene language. For damaging the uniform, both prisoners were fined 20s and costs 8s 6d, or in default 14 days' hard labour.— As the sentences are concurrent) the total imprisonment) is therefore three months each.