"DISGRACEFUL STORY."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 282, 28 November 1931, Page 13

"DISGRACEFUL STORY."

SEQUEL TO A PARTY.

ASSAULT CHARGES DISMISSED

CAUSTIC COMMENT BY

MAGISTRATE.

"A very disgraceful and disgusting story," was the comment of Mr. F. E.. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday afternoon, at the conclusion of a case in which charges of assault and robbery had followed a party at a house in Remuera. Eddie Phillips (22), taxidriver, and Harold Fred Winstone (42), described as an agent, were accused of robbing Richard Grimshaw of £8, on November. 12, and also of using personal violence, -and assaulting Grimshaw so as to cause actual bodily harm. Both men pleaded not guilty and were represented by counsel. - Evidence given the previous day sliowed that Grimshaw brought a young married woman and her sister into Auckland in a taxi. In Auckland the party was joined by another young woman, and the three women, accompanied by Phillips and Winstone, went to a house in Remuera, a quantity of liquor being procured. It was stated that a row occurred and that the accused "dumped" Grimshaw, who was badly bruised about the face and body, and had to be taken to hospital, where he remained for over a week. The young married woman who gave evidence yesterday said she was struck in the face by Grimshaw, who was considerably the worse for drink. She was speaking to Winstone when Grimshaw struck him. Phillips joined in, striking Grimshaw two three times. Later there was another disturbance, Phillips demanding £1 for the use of the taxi, and Phillips and Grimshaw had a fight on the floor of the hall. A single woman, sister,of the last witness, said she and her sister had been out for a walk near Pokeno when they saw.a car coming. ..The car stopped and Grimshaw spoke to them. Witness was asked by Grimshaw what they were waiting for, and they said they were waiting for a car to take them home. Both Phillips and Grimshaw. had apparently had some liquor. Witness admitted that it was she who suggested going to the house for a party. She had been there once or twice before. Grimshaw was '"'fairly drunk" all the evening. Summing up, Mr. Hunt said Grimshaw had brought it on himself, having been drinking all day. There was no evidence that accused actually robbed Grimshaw, but evidently they had "dumped" him. "I do not propose to put the country to the expense of a prosecution," he continued, "and the ends of justice will be met if the case is dismissed, the men being ordered to pay the whole costs of the prosecution,-and Phillips had better look out for his license." Mr. Hunt also strongly criticised the conduct of the women.