ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7803, 5 March 1891, Page 3

ASHBURTON.

. Wksnbsdat, March 4. (Before Mr D. Thomas, J.P.) Disorderly CoNbucr.—John Clifford, an old offender, was charged with drunkenness, disorderly conduct, using disgusting language, aud resisting and assaulting Che police. Mr Cufchbertsou appeared - for accused. W. G. liaes gave evidence tha; accused Had used very bad language when near his (witness , ) residence, and behaved iv snch a niauner that he found it necessary to give him in charge. Constable McGill stated that he arrested Clifford shortiy after five o'clock iv the evening, and after a good deal of trouble got him as far as Butler's Family Hotel. .Clifford then became very violent - and noisy, and being a powerful man, < stoutly resisted being taken any further. Witness tiled to put the handcuffs on, and during the struggle Clifford goc witness , tingvr between his teeih and held it as iv a vice. To make him loose his hold witness struck him aud gripped him by the throat. -Michael O'Counel, Clifford's mat», came on the scene, and they finally got accused handcuffed, put Into a milk cart, and taken to the lock up. Sergeant Moller stated that Clifford was very violeut aud it took him self, aud Constable Smart all their time to put him in the cell. Constable McGill's linger was badly bitten. O'Connel gave evidence and swore positively that the Constable had used no unnecessary force whatever, as Clifford wat very violent indeed. ' Mr Cuthbertsou called W. and J. Mitchell and another young mau uamed Pauling, who each stated thac Constable McGill had used a great deal of unnecessary force, and had struck Clifford with the handcuffs. The 8.-nch held the chtirges clearly proved against Clifford aud sentenced him to a mouth's impriaouinent with hard labor, at the same time cautiouing tue Constable against using any unnecessary force when arresting a prisoner.