CONSTABLE ASSAULTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 85, 11 April 1929, Page 11

CONSTABLE ASSAULTED.

MAN PICKS UP A KNIFE.

IRISHMEN AND LIQUOR.

BESETTING SIX OF RACE."

James Loftus (3.31. disturbed while sleeping off the effects of a "rpree," by a constable » horn he found at hi* front door talking to his wire, resented the

policeman's call and proceeded to cab him some filthy names. Thing* happened quickly after that, and Loftus found himself in the dock at the Police Court thw morning charged with assaulting Constable 'Joebcl and u-ing obtceue la npuajje.

Loftu-. fr whom Mr. J. ,T. Sullivan appeared, pleaded guilty to both charge*.

Sub-inspector McCarthy said Constable «.ovbel went to see Mrs. Loftus last Friday night about 6.4-3 to inquire into a complaint that had been made concerning some children. Loftus, who was very much under the influence of drink, came to the door and objected stronpiy that the con.plaint had ret been made to him. He used obscene language. and then, reaching back, ho picked up a table knife. He wanted to lipht the corn-table and wanted To get hold of him. When a-ked to come •■utside. he locked himself inside a room, but he afterwards came out and was arretted.

Mr. Sullivan said Loftus was the worse for liquor and at the time the constable called he had just awakened after e-leepinp off the effects of a spree. Loftus uar. a pood husband and father when sober. He admitted thai drink was the of hi* trouble.

"Loftus i- a fellow countryman of mine." .»;tld counsel. "and liquor is the bcM-ttii:l: -in of my race. If it ua< not for liquor very few Irishmen would come before this Court." Accused desired To have a prohibition order taken out against him. Mr. V. K. Hunt: You are quite right. Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Hunt said he would take into consideration what counsel had said and would not severely punkh Loftus. Accused was fined £2 on the assault charge and convicted and discharged on the other. "But he must remember that the uniform of the police has to be respected." added Mr. Hunt.