SUPREME COURT Attempt to run down policeman denied

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32676, 4 August 1971, Page 19

SUPREME COURT Attempt to run down policeman denied

The trial of Robert Neville Harpur, aged 21, a, driver, on alternative charges of assaulting Rodger Keith Millard with intent to injure him and of assaulting him began in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon before the Chief Justice (Sir Richard Wild) and a jury. Mr E. T. Higgins appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty, and Mr N. W. Williamson for the Crown.

The trial is expected to end today. Constable Millard said that on June 19 he was called to De Havilland Street where the accused's half-brother had been arrested. When the police left the house to take the arrested man to the patrol car the accused approached and wanted to know what was going on. The accused’s half-brother told the accused that he had been arrested, that everything was going to be all right, not to do anything stupid, and to go home. The accused became extremely excited and shouted threats and abuse. The witness said he told the accused to . follow his brother’s advice to go away, but the accused continued to shout abuse and spat on the witness. After getting into his car the accused reversed 30 to 40 yards, rammed the car into a forward gear, and drove straight at the witness as fast as the car would go.

The witness said he was standing about in the middle of the road. He moved to the right and the car followed him. He thought the accused intended to carry out his threat to run him over and ran as fast as he could to

the rear of the nearest patrol car. >

The witness said he had the impression that the car passed very close behind him.

The accused was stopped in Deans Avenue after a chase. When the witness opened the car door he told the accused that he. was in enough trouble already and not to be stupid, but the accused attacked him. When asked for an explanation at the Central Police Station the accused said that he was very sorry and he realised that what he had done was stupid, said Constable Millard. Evidence by accused Harpur said in evidence that he went to De Havilland Street at the request of his brother, who was later arrested. The accused said he became very upset. He admitted being abusive to the police but he denied that he threatened to run over Constable Millard. The accused said he could not drive forward because one of the constables was standing in front of his car, so he reversed down the street. He then drove forward in first gear. The accelerator became jammed hard down on the floor, but he was not travelling more than five to eight miles an hour. He swerved to the left to go round the police standing in the road, and about the same time the constable ran to the left as well. The accused, said he had to concentrate on avoiding the constable.