Gang member denies assault

Press, 13 August 1976, Page 17

Gang member denies assault

A young man at a party in a flat in Olliviers Road was dragged outside and was kicked a number of tim *s while he was on the ground in a vicious and cowardly manner by members of a motor-cycle gang. Mr Justice Somers and a jury were told in the Supreme Court yesterday Warner Richard Scott, aged 20. a glass worker, hapleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting Gavin Wayne Hill with intent to injure on April 3. The trial will finish today. Mr D. J. L. Saunders ap pears for the Crown and Mr X. R. W. Davidson for . Scott. Opening his case. Mri i Saunders said that on the evening of April 3 a group of 'motor-cyclists arrived at a party at a tlat in Olliviers Road. It was attended by Gavin Wayne Hill and his girlfriend. Christine Hickey. The party had been arranged' by Miss Hickey’s brother.: Gary Owen Hickey

Mr Hill was -peaking to one of the motor-cyclists. Alan Morgan, when there whs an argument and Mr Hill was knocked to the ground by Morgan A short time later Mr ■ Hill was asked to step out- ! side. He refused and was dragged out by Morgan and another motor-cyclist. Mr Hill was thrown face down on the lawn and several mem- • bers of the motor-cycle gang set about him in a cowardly ' attack in which the boot was administered to various parts of his body in a vicious manner for about half a ■ minute Scott was one of those who kicked Mr Hill and then [Scott and his friends made off. leaving their victim bruised and bleeding on the ground. Mr Saunders said. Mr Hili, aged 24. a sheet metal worker, said in evidence that when he was dragged outside he struggled ijand went down on the ground He tried to cover himself as best he could. He

I was lying with his knees up and hi* hands around hihead He was kicked m the eat. kidneys legs, and head. He was left Iv ing on the ground with blood vonung from his ear and one of his hands Gary Owen Hickey tin .employed said that there were scuff le- after the motor cycle gang arrived In "lie a heater wa- broken and a window -mashed The gang wa- told to leave He -aw Scott kick Mr Hill three oi four times while he wa- on the ground Constable Robert Henn Moore -aid that when he interviewed Scott on April 5 Scott -aid that he knew nothing about the assault at the party When a-ked to go to the police station. Scott had replied "If von want me to go with you vou'll have to arrest me.” Scott was arrested on « charge of [assault and at the station he [denied being at the party Mr Davidson -aid that there was no doubt Scott was

al the part' »nd tt tvs the defence vase that he wai not Rut Ncott wiuild dery that h* had as-auited Mr H’ m anv wav He would that at the time of th< •assault he wa* sitting on hi* motor-cyck at the trnn gate with hi- girlfriend The defence did not rot done the miserable an< cowardly attack on Mr H but said that it wa- a i a-e '• mistaken identify. Mr David Niott said m evident* tha he had attended the part' o Ollivier* Road with othe motor-cyclists after dnnktni at ih> Wallb.im ArrnTavem. Thete was no sug ge-tion that tliev were no welcome When Mr Hill wa* assaulted on the lawn he w e sitting on hi- motor-cycle bthe gate with his girlfriend Sharon Marie Young He -aw Mr Hill on the ground bems kicked There were thnee <' four persons around him an< he could hear him -creaminj a bn