CHARGES OF ASSAULT

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29800, 17 April 1962, Page 18

CHARGES OF ASSAULT

Incidents On Train (AJ4. Prtss Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, April 16. Allegations of assault against two passengers on the Wellington-Auckland express on April 6 were made by the police against Cyril Lane Horsfall and William Brian Retreat Nukutewhenua Tapsell in the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston North today. They were charged with assaulting Bruce Murray Forward and Heaton Ronald Elliott with intent to injure them. The accused. Horsfall, for whom Mr H. Y. Gilliand appeared, elected to be tried by jury and was remanded to May 2, with bail fixed at £l5O and one surety of £l5O. After an outline of the case against Tapsell had been given, and the latter had pleaded guilty, he was remanded in custody until next Thursday, when a probation officer's report will be presented.

Senior-Sergeant J. Henderson said about 10,35 p.m., Forward, a passenger on the express, had spoken to Tapsell about his language, whereupon Tapsell had struck him. and had kicked him about the body after he had fallen. Another passenger. Elliott, endeavoured to stop the assault, and suffered scratches on his throat. Then Tapsell picked Forward up and slammed him against the carriage door, damaging it to the extent of £3 10s.

Mr K. H. Mason, who appeared for Tapsell, said that his client’s offence was quite out of character, and extreme provocation would be advanced in mitigation of penalty.

R.A.F. Birthday. The Royal Air Force was 50 years old last week. The Royal Warrant which established the Royal Flying Corps, from wfhich the R.A.F. grew, was issued on April 13, 1912. London, April 15.