TRAFFIC OFFICER SUED

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27731, 8 August 1955, Page 7

TRAFFIC OFFICER SUED

PEDESTRIAN ALLEGES ASSAULT (New Zealand Press Association) A . AUCKLAND, August 6. A claim for £25 against John Stewart Crawford, an Auckland City Coqncil traffic officer, for alleged assault and damage to his personal dignity, was brought by Harold Rhodes Speight, a watchmaker, before Mr R M. Grant, S.M., in the Auckland Magistrate's Court yesterday. Speight was in turn prosecuted by the council’s traffic department on a charge that, being a pedestrian in Quay street, he failed to comply with direction given by a traffic inspector. . The Magistrate reserved his decision in both cases, which were heard together. Crawford gave evidence that he saw Speight walking across the road against the lights. He blocked Speight’s way and asked him to return to the south side. He did not use force in obstructing Speight, and handled him in no manner which affected his dignity. He stepped off the kerb when the pedestrian lights were still in his favour, said Speight in evidence. Crawford, came up with open palms extended and said, “Go on, get back —you crossed against the lights.” Crawford pushed Speight back with his hands, and then bumped him with his stomach, saying that he could have him arrested, said the witness.