THE "COPY" SLEUTH

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 76, 29 March 1924, Page 19

THE "COPY" SLEUTH

A COMMISSIONAIRE'S BLOW.

John Wallis, a commissionaire at a night club in Gerrard Street, London, W., was charged at Bow Street Polict Court, with assaulting Gilbert Singleton Gates, a journalist.

Prosecutor said he was writing articles with reference to night clubs in the West End, and in pursuance o£ his journalistic duties called at this particular club at 11.30. He saw two commissionaires, defendant being one of them, and asked tor Mr. Harris, the registered proprietor, and was told by Wallis that Mr. Harris was not in. As he left the premises a woman entered and Wallis made a remark to her, as a result of which she was expelled with very considerable force bj Wallis. Complainant said she turned to defendant and said, "You won't do that a;nln." I said loudly enough for the defendant to hear. "I am certain that you will not have the opportunity to do so." He then said, "Shut jour mouth, you fool." He ran at mc and struck mc a very violent blow in the right eye and another just below the eye. The blows knocked mc to the ground. As I rose he struck mc again, knocking mc down. He then kicked mc on the right side. As I was again endeavouring to rise he struck mc again on the neck. Passers-by intervened.

The magistrate (Sir Chartres Biron) said the language nsed by prosecutor might have been provocative, but that was no justification for the assault.

The Magistrate said if prosecutor had would have sent prisoner to gaol. He would be fined £5 or a month.