BROTHERS FINED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1938, Page 8

BROTHERS FINED.

DANCE HALL AFFRAY.

POLICE COURT SEQUEL

CHARGES OF ASSA.UI.T.

"Altogether they acted like madmen," was how Sub-Inspector Fox described

the conduct of two brothers who appeared in the Police Court to-day as the result of their behaviour at a city dance hall on Saturday night.

The .accused were Ralph Barben, aged 21, and Havelock Barben, aged 19. Both were charged with assaulting two men and also with obtaining admission to the dance hall without paying the charge of 2/, while Ralph Barden was further charged with using obscene language in the dance hall and also in the street outside.

Mr. Aekins appeared for both. They pleaded guiltyIt was stated by Sub-Inspector Fox that when asked for their tickets the two young men produced old tram tickets. On being refused admiesion both became truculent. Ralph used obscene language and then both attacked the doorkeeper and another man, all four rolling downstairs where a struggle took place. Both were ejected and were later arrested in the street. "These two brothers were very violent, particularly Ralph Barben," eaid Mr. Fox. "They gave trouble on tnelr arrival in the watch house and objected to being I searched, with the result that they had to be handcuffed. Altogether, they acted like madmen. Nothing previously is known against either." Mr. Aekins said it was a caee of two young men getting too much to drink on Saturday. Neither remembered anything about the affair. They had been in the lock-up over the week-end, and this had had a most salutary effect on them. Both were in employment and regarded as good workers. The magistrate- fined each £5 on one charge of assault, and admitted them each to six months' probation on another charge of assault. Ralph Barben was also fined £5 for using ohecene language, and convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within six months on the other charge. Three weeks were allowed in which to pay the fines.