SCUFFLE IN HOTEL BAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 161, 9 July 1926, Page 9

SCUFFLE IN HOTEL BAR.

AN UNPROVOKED ASSAULT.

FOOTBALLER GETS 7 DAYS,

WOMAN ALSO LAYS A CHARGE.

As the result of a scuffle which took place in the bar of a city hotel yesterday afternoon, Victor Henry Thomas (29), appeared at the Police Court this morning on a charge of having assaulted Alfred George Saunders. Accused pleaded not guilty. Saunders, whose right eye was badly discoloured, and whose face bore several abrasions, said that he-was in the bar of a city hotel shortly after 4.30 p.m. yesterday, when he was struck by accused. He did not see Thomas strike him. He had his hands in his pockets at the time. Witness had never spoken to Thomas in his life, and only knew him as a footballer who played League for the City Chib. Thomas: "I wasn't in your company, was I?— No. "Who did this?" (indicating some marks on his face). —I don't know. Evidence was then given by Herbert Mackay, who said that he was also in the bar of the hotel and saw Saunders leaning up against the wall. He saw Thomas rush up and strike Saunders two blows on the face. When accused rushed up to Saunders he said: "Now I've got you." Saunders did not give accused any provocation. Frederick Arthur Williams gave similar evidence. He saw accused "wallop" Saunders. There was no provocation given. Constable Collins said that when inspecting the bar of the hotel with Sergeant Flanagan he saw Saunders, whose face was covered with blood. As a result of something which witness was told he went upstairs, and there found Thomas hiding behind the door in a lavatory, wiping his face with a toweL Accused then said that he struck Saunders in self-defence. Thomas: I came quietly and did not resist? Witness: Yes, you came quietly all right. You were very nervous. When asked whether he had anything to say Thomas replied that he was walking through the bar when he stopped a blow on the face by Saunders. He said that he had not spoken to Saunders at all. The magistrate remarked that it was an unprovoked assault, and sentenced accused to seven days' imprisonment. Another Charge. Some time afterwards, and while Thomas was still in the prisoners' room, a charge was laid against him by a woman, Ada Southgate, who alleged that accused had used insulting language towards her. Complainant feared that such language would lead to a breach of the peace, and sought to have accused bound over'to keep the peace towards her. in evidence informant stated that wherever she went Thomas would annoy her, sometimes in the street, and make a scene, as well as hurling insulting language at her. Mr. Poynton: What are you? Are you his wife? No, your Worship, I have lived with him since 1921. Mr. Poynton: Well, cannot you patch things up again? What is his trouble, is it drink? No, not that so much as bad temper, just pig-headedness. I cannot live with him again. Thomas: Didn't I give you £4 10/ last week? You got your back up because I wouldn't pay for you to go into the football, and you stayed outside? Informant: I paid interest on my property with the £4 10/ you gave mc. You are always saying that I've been out to "Chows' " places. Thomas: You went away the other day down to Papakura, and came back with twenty-five bob. Where did you get that? Y r ou didn't work for it, 111 bet. Informant: I did. I got that from the husband of an old lady of 60. Thomas: What about going out to Three Kings to see the "Chows," eh? I did not see them. I only went out in the bus and came straight back again. Thomas: Every time I've got money I'm all right, ain't I, eh, for a couple of days? What about last night; didn't you meet one of the Southern footballers? No, I did not. Mr. Poynton: You need not worry about that, Thomas! The magistrate then made an order binding accused over to keep the peace. Thomas: What about the £4 10/ I gave her last week? Don't I get that? Mr. Poynton: I can't do anything about that. That is a matter for you and another Court.