The Courts Trial to follow 'axe incident’

Press, 16 June 1979, Page 4

The Courts Trial to follow 'axe incident’

Anthony David Le Gros, aged 18. a council worker (Mr L. C. Dann) was yesterday committed to the Supreme Court for trial on hree charges which arose tram his alleged possession ol an axe during an incident ifter a party. Depositions from eight witnesses were heard on Wednesday and the hearing vas completed yesterday .vith the last four, witnesses for the prosecution. Messrs M. B. Haves and I. A R Tullett, Justices of he Peace, held there was' a nrima facie case established against the defendant on ■ach charge. The defendant pleaded not euilty, and elected trial by iurv. on charges of injuring Peter Mark Maich with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assaulting John Gerarde Baker, and assaulting Richard Dixon Allen. Sergeant G. C. Jones, who prosecuted, had said at the opening of the case that the police contended that although another youth, now in prison, had struck Mr Maich, the defendant bv his actions in preventing others from stopping the fight which developed was a partv to the injury charge. The incident arose after an argument between two

i youths at a party in ColeI ridge Street on May 5. Mr j Maich was hit on the face i by a companion of the i defendant, with a stick studded with nails. In yesterday's evidence to i complete the Lower Court i hearing Michael John Bell, a Ishop assistant, said that (when Mr Maich was hit 'with the stick by Thomas ; Barclay, the defendant held an axe. - I The witness said that after I Mr Maich was struck he. and I others could not give him I help because the defendan was standing 'with the axe

and they “would probable get hit by it.” Constable A. J. Flitcroft said the defendant, , interviewed after the incident, said he thought a fight would develop and as his friends were outnumbered he •ook an axe from a car boor. While holding the axe he told other party-goers, to move away from where the irgument was taking place. After ihe argument ended ind before the police arrived te put the axe back in the ar, Mr Dann reserved his iefence.