CHARGE OF ASSAULT

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23538, 16 January 1942, Page 8

CHARGE OF ASSAULT

♦ ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL A charge of assault so as to cause actual bodily harm was heard against Joseph William Groom, wood and coal merchant, aged 38, in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Groom pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court • for trial. Bail in the accused’s own recognisance of £IOO, with one surety of £IOO, was allowed, Groom to report to the police as directed. Mr P, H. T. Alpers represented Groom, and Chief-Detective H. Nuttall prosecuted. Mr E. C. Levvoy, S.M., was on the Bench. Dr. D, McK. Dickson, senior surgeon at the Christchurch Public Hospital, said ho examined Henry Edward Grccnway, the man the prosecution alleged had been assaulted by Groom, on November 15. Greenway, then in a serious condition, was suffering from internal injuries, and, after a blood transfusion, an operation, thought necessary to save his life; was performed. Injuries received by Greenway could not have been caused by natural means and violence must have been used. Dr. Dickson said. A heavy blow or fall could have been responsible. Truck-Driver’s Evidence John Eric Harris Tomes, truck driver, said he knew Greenway as caretaker of a coalyard in Blenheim road, Riccarton, owned by G. L. Ray. On Saturday, November 15, he saw Greenway at the coalyard in the afternoon. He appeared excited, as though offended, but apart from that was normal. Later in the afternoon Groom drove into the yard, and Greenway shouted out to him. “Hey, I want to see you.” Witness, who was one and a half chains away from the two men, heard Greenway arguing with Groom, and after a while both of the men were talking hotly. Some minutes later, Groom started the engine of his truck, and witness said he heard Greenway refer, for the second or third time, to “the woman.” At that stage, Groom and Greenway, standing together by the truck, both had their hands raised, and were arguing even more heatedly. Finally, witness said he saw Groom strike Greenway on the jaw. Greenway stepped back a few paces, walked round the back of the truck, put one hand on the ground, and then swung round on his back, Tomes continued. Only one blow was struck, as far as witness could see, and after that Greenway lay on the ground for four or five minutes. Speaking to Tomes, after the blow had been struck. Groom said: “I won’t stand for anyone calling my wife what he did.” Witness assisted Greenway from the ground to his hut in the yard, examined him, but could find no sign of external injury. Both Greenwav and Groom were perfectly sober at the time. Witness did not know what the two men were arguing about or why the blow was struck. Herbert Entwhistle, tractor driver, said he was at the yard when the incident occurred. He helped Greenway from the ground, after which he asked Groom what had happened. Groom said: “Greenway has been insulting my wife.” Statement Made to Police Detective T. D. Knowles said he investigated the matter, interviewed a number of the witnesses, and later questioned Groom, who made- a' statement. In this he said he arrived at

the yard on November 15, Greenway was there, was very offensive, and persisted in shouting out; “Who is .that woman.” Greenway was referring to Groom’s wife, who had arrived at the yard earlier in the afternoon. Groom at first ignored Greenway. who became more and more aggressive. Finally. Groom said in the statement, he struck Greenway on the cheek-bone. The blow drew blood, but he did not think it serious. The only reason he hit Greenway was because of his persistent insults about Mrs Groom. Groom hit him only the one blow. Groom said he had had no intoxicating liquor that day.

Groom reserved his defence and, the evidence concluded, was committed for trial.