Assault charges dismissed

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 18

Assault charges dismissed

Efforts by a Christchurch man to patch his relationship with a solo mother ended in a punch-up with the woman’s new boyfriend, Mr J. S. Bisphan, S.M., was told in the Magistrate’s Court.

Charges of assault against the man, Murray George Debenham, aged 24, a welder, and his brother, Clarence Paul Debenham, aged 18, a mechanic (Mr W. G. G. A. Young) were dismissed by the Magistrate. Both brothers had pleaded not guilty to assaulting Kevin Neylon on August 25. Dismissing the charges, the Magistrate said there was not enough evidence to convict the brothers. “There is nothing in this case which makes me prefer either evidence,” he said. I The Magistrate was told [ that Murray Debenham had

lived with Mrs Joyce Kelly for two years. Debenham had moved out when their relationship had soured and Mr Neylon had gone to live with Mrs Kelly.

Murray Debenham said he; had tried to reconcile himself with Mrs Kelly, but Mr Neylon had interfered. The fight broke out when the two brothers had gone to collect some belongings from Mrs Kelly’s home. The police alleged that the brothers had attacked Mr Neylon. Sergeant B. N. Thompson said Mr Neylon had collasped and had been taken to hospital. He had suffered internal bruising to his back.

However, the defence said that Mr Neylon had attacked Murray Debenham and that Clarence Debenham had taken no part in the fight.