ASSAULTING THE POLICE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16205, 7 May 1918, Page 3

ASSAULTING THE POLICE.

MIXKK SENT TO GAOL

A -coijo! to the disturbance at King Edward Barracks on the occasion of the departure of the last-draft for camp, was board in the Magistrate's Court, before .Mr 'i'. A. K. Bailey, 5.1v1.. yesterday morning, when Herbert Ma'.-kersey (Mr Mallev) was charged with assaulting Constable liosworth . while he was ia the execution of his duty.

Constable Bosworth said that near the Cashel street bridge he, on the day of the riot, was suddenly assaulted from behind by accused, thrown to the ground, and kicked. Accused ran invav, but was caught by civilians, and witness then arrested him. SeniorSergeant Cumming and Home constables caine to his assistance, but he and they were severely hustled by the _ large crowd, and liad gre.it difficulty in bettint', accused into the military barracks. Subsequently, because of the, trouble within the Barracks, it 'was deemed advisable:.-to release accused.

Edward Wißjam. , Heald,. warrant officer', said that JlO was at the Barracks 011 the day in question to call the roll. About 2.30 p.m. Mackcrsev, with two others, passed him, and witness recognised him. Later he recognised him in tho'crowd behind, and ho irr.s' "boohing'' and jeering. The next day accused came into the Rccruiting Office and reported himself, after which 'he was arrested.

.Detective-Sergeant O'Connor sail that he saw accused climb over the iron gate out of the Barracks, and that i.he crowd cheered him on his appearance. Accused said that ho was a miner by* occupation, but came over from the West Coast about two weeks ago. On the Monday afternoon in question he went down to the Barracks for the purpose of going away with the draft. The Manager of the Blackball Mine, # where he was employed, had said that 'lie would appeal for his exemption, lie hcing a miner. Accused, however, said that he wanted to serve with the forces.

Sub-Inspector Mullany- said that accused had previously been convicted' of assaulting the polfco and of theft, and that , his last term in prison had been one of eighteen months, for theft from a dwelling. "I ask your Worship to impose the full penalty for this offence, and the public will then see (at least those who were so good as to jeer at the police) what sort of .1 man they cheered," continued the Sub-Inspector. The Magistrate: This should be dealt with with a firm hand. There iins been a good deal of feeling about it, and from what I hear there was nearly a serious' liot. When that state of things is reached, ;v iran assaulting a constable tends to make things very much worse.

Accused asked that he be allowed to go into camp, but Sergeant-Major Heald stated that the military authorities wished that the man should bo dealt with for his offence before being allowed to proceed to cainp." A sentence of three months' imprisonment was imposed.