ONEHUNGA ASSAULT CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 276, 22 November 1927, Page 5

ONEHUNGA ASSAULT CASE.

MAJOR CHARGE WITHDRAWN.

A CONVICTION RECORDED.

The trial of Charles C. Sandford for an alleged assault causing bodily harm to Melville C. H. Barnett, took place yesterday afternoon at Onehunga before Mr. J. G. L. Hewett, S.M. Sergeant J. A. Cruickshank prosecuted, Mr. A. H. Johnstone appeared for the accused, and Mr. Bryce Eart watched the proceedings on behalf of Mr. Barnett.

The evidence confirmed the report already published in the "Star" to the effect that a daughter of the defendant, who had spent the evening of November 3, with Mr. and Mrs. Barnett was taken home by them at about 9.30 p.m.; that when they got near to Mr. Sandford's home he met them and struck Barnett with a stick. After the evidence had been taken Mr. Hewett suggested that the parties cotifel? with a view to the charge being reduced to one of common assault. In his judgment the case did not call for the infliction of a penalty. After a short adjournment Mr. Johnstone stated that if the police wquld withdraw the major charge Sandford would plead guilty to a common assault. The consultation between the parties had been satisfactory to both of them. Sergeant Cruickshank agreed to this course, whereupon Sandford was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon. No order was made as to costs.

Barnett said that on the evening of November 3 he and his wife accompanied Miss Mary Sandford> a daughter of accused, to her home about 0.30. In consequence of what Miss Sandford had told them, he expected accused would be waiting at the gate. Witness, therefore, went in first and saw accused behind a tree eight or ten yards away. Accused said: "What are you doing here?" and witness turned back toward the gate. He had not gone more than five yards when he received a blow on the side of the head. Calling out, "I'm stunned," he fell, and his wife and Miss Sandford rushed in and picked him up. He did not see accused again. Witness' was in bed for a week, under medical care. He had previously been good friends with accused, except that the latter objected to his daughter going to witness' house, as she had been doing for over two years. He was a member of the "Bible Students of America," the other adherents of the sect being his wife, his two brothers, and Miss Sandford. They held meetings every night to read and discuss the Bible.

Mrs. Barnett said Miss Sandford's father had not objected to her visits on religious grounds. There must be some other reason.

Miss Sandford said her parents objected to N Mr. Barnett walking home with her arm-in-arm. Objections were also made to her going in Barnett's motor car.