ON THE SPOT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 106, 7 May 1938, Page 7

ON THE SPOT.

AN EASY ARREST. HID IN BATHROOM. CITY POLICE BARRACKS. When he ran into the bathroom in the police barracks at the central station last night, Albert Edward Brophy (31), a barman, got himself into hot water. His arrest, on a charge of assault, was an easy matter. No taxi was necessary. He was merely led from the bathroom into the lock-up, via the watch-house.' Appearing before Messrs. S. L%ah and W. J. Jaffrey,.J.P.'s. in the Police Court this morning. Brophy pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting May Bertha Snell last evening. Detective-Sergant Nalder said Mrs. 1 Snell had known Brophy for the last four years, but during the past 12 months she had been trying to get away from him. ''When she goes out Brophy often hides in doorways and jumps out | at her and uses insulting language." added Mr. Nalder. ''Last evening accused followed Mrs. Snell down Grey's Avenue, when she was walking with smother woman. He caught hold of her by the coat and pulled her back. She and her companion jumped into a taxi and instructed the driver to take her to the police station. Brophy anticipated what she w&s doing and entered the taxi too. "On arrival at the police station he tried to prevent her from going in and ' punched her several times, also throwing ' her down on the front steps. She screamed and detectives went to her assistance. Brophy ran away..but was later found hiding in the bathroom in the police barracks. He said he would not have assaulted the woman had he not been drinking. However she is in fear of him." Brophy denied that he knocked the woman down but admitted pushing her. He also denied that he had waited for ber before. "I met her casually last night" he said. . "She's been chasing me and writing letters to me." Detective-Sergeant Nalder reminded Brophy that he had been previously warned by the police to keep awav from Mrs. Snell. Brophy: "I know, but I had too much drink. I got a job yesterday and am to start work in Hamilton on Monday, tjhat is, if I am given a chance." The Bench said they would give Brophy a chance and convicted and ordered him to come up for sentence if called upon in three months. He was told that if he did not leave Auckland he was liable to be brought up and dealt with on the charge.