A YEAR IN GAOL

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 180, 29 July 1912, Page 5

A YEAR IN GAOL

FOB ASSAUXTTNG A CONSTABLE A \iMVVAfAiR.KIRT AFKBATThe -warnings recently issued by Mr. Cutten, S.M., that in future any case of assaulting a policeman in the course of his duty would be severely dealt with ■was not taken to heart by Thomas Henry Parker who, in consequence, •was this morning sentenced to 12 months' hard labour. The circumstances preceding Parker's arrest arose shortly before ten. o'clock on Saturday Trigirt at Newmarket. T. H. Parker and a brother William went into the Newmarket Hotel, and on account of previous misconduct, together with their then unsober condition, the licensee requested them to lesv-e. They created a disturbance, and a constable was sent for. He took William Parker out of the hotel, while friends -were prevailing on Tom to go quietly a-»=ay» They were given a chance to get home, but Tom persisted in calling out obscene language. Then Constable Goddard -went; to arrest him, and he intimated that he would give the policeman a go for it. He made some efforts to do so, but was himself thrown to the ground with his captor on top. Here "William came to the rescue Iry dealing the constable some heavy blows from the rear and endeavouring to choke bin off his brother. ■Other policemen came up, whereon William retired to the crowd but kept inciting his brother to continue resistance till he was searched out and taken in, hand also. Both men pleaded guilty this morning to charges of resistance and assault. The record against Thos. Parker contained 'three previous convictions for assaulting policemen, while his brother's record contained nothing previously of the kind. Mr. Cutten, S.M., stated that T. H. Parker's record was one of assaulting policemen, using obscene language and ; other like offences, and he would be senI fenced to 12 months' hard labour. i Though "William Parker's conduct on i this occasion was probably worse than [his brother's, lift had not previously been J convicted for that kind of offence, and Ihe would be treated leniently by being I sentenced to two months' hard labour.