STRUGGLE IN DOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 37, 13 February 1929, Page 8

STRUGGLE IN DOCK.

SUPREME COURT SENSATION. A PRISONER'S MISTAKE. Tllol (.111 DUCK WAS WITNESS Y>i)X Tin- cit-lint nf Mr. -lii.tlice Kennedy a> m Supreme (.oiiit judge v ' i,s marked by ii mild sciiMitiini this morning. The iir.-i in In- lirurd I'.v tin , new judge was ~ii(. in which twii men. Cyril Keven McKeuna iind .Idliii Kiddens. both reprc--iiiti-d by Mr. ■'• ■'■ Sullivan, wen charired wit ii assaulting and robbing l-irilciivk .lii>i'pli Kneehuiio of a hut anil Wai I'll \alucd ni O'> I<>/, and Walter kasloii of si lull- watch and ft'at valued Ml C"). Mr. Meredith appeared for the crown. When tin: two accused wore brought illl,> the Ldurt, -Mclvciiiia quietly walked into the duck, hut a violent struggle took place between Siddens and a constable, Siddens eventually being forced to lake his place ill the dock beside McKeiina.

Mr. d. J. Sullivan, after a few words with Siddens, remarked:

"Your Honor, I would like to explain my client's attitude. .It is all a mislake. Me was under the impression that he was being forced into the witness box."

Walter Kaxton said that about halfpast nine on the of December 10 lie was in a. convenience at the Albert wharf when a man, whom lie identified as AlcKeiina. came in and asked for a cijfiirette. handed one ever and TdcKcima. then suggested a stroll, but this was declined, .hist when about to leave, Eastern noticed another man, afterwards identified as Siddens. had entered, then it was that Mclverina struck witness. Siddcns also joined in and after a stmjrjrlc witness-broke away and proceeded to the Ilobson Street vehicular ferry wharf, where lie jumped on the cargo boat and went to Devonport, fn Ihe struggle, during which his pockets were, rifled. Kaston lost a ha'., watch and coat. About half an hour later the witness returned from Devonport and lodged a complaint at the water police station and there saw "MeKeiina brought in. Witness immediately identified McKenna as one of the two men who had assaulted him. and also recognised a hat as the one he had lost.

In answer to Mr. Sullivan, witness said he was talking to a constable when he saw McKenna being escorted by two men to the water police station. About ten days later he identified Siddens from among many others at the police station. Sidden was the youngest of those, present.

Frederick Joseph Kneebone, residing at Takapuna, saiil it would lie jus! after half-past ten on the night of December 10. when he was on the Albert wharf, when .Siddens came up and spoke. Siddens asked for a cigarette and said he was a sailor on the Here fort. Witness then left to catch a ferry. Siddens following. McKenna approached and the pair then assaulted witness, whose cries for help brought two employees of the Harbour Board. McKenna was caught, but Siddens got away to be arrested some days later and identified by witness. In the struggle, witness lost a hat and watch. (Proceeding-.)