Convictions sequel to Square fracas

Press, 9 August 1980, Page 4

Convictions sequel to Square fracas

Two men appeared in the’ District Court yesterday on .charges relating to a fracas 'outside a hamburger bar in Cathedral Square late on the evening of July 4: it was jsaid in evidence against one offender that about 100 per-, sons were in the vicinity,; and a crowd converged on' police “in an extremely ugly; mood.” The two offenders were, convicted by Judge Fraser.. The charges were heard separately. ; ! Three other persons alleg-i edly involved in the incident; 'were further remanded to i August 29 for defended hear- : ings. ■ ■ . ; ; Reginald Walter Curtis,! aged 23. a labourer, pleaded; guilty yesterday to charges! of using obscene language,! and resisting Constable A.! Tunnicliffe in the execution; of his duty. I He was convicted and fined $lOO on each charge. ! Sergeant W. J. McCormlcki said the defendant, who was seen drinking from a bottle 1 of wine, was asked-his age by a constable. ; He used obscene language! and was warned, but re-| peated the words; a large! crowd gathered. The defendant was ar-; rested and resisted being’ taken to a. police car. I The other offender yester-'

riday, Tony Charles King, i aged 19, an apprentice joiner ; (Miss J. M. Drake) denied a i charge of wilfully obstructing Constable W. J. Hadley in the execution of his duty. ■ He was convicted and .fined $lOO. Police evidence was that 'while a constable was speaking to another person' a ■group of other persons, including the defendant, be‘came involved. The crowd converged on .the police and abuse was ! hurled at them. ■ The defendant was told to move oh but refused. After being warned he was ar- ; rested. I The defendant denied that ;he. was a member of the ! group which converged on ithe police. ! Miss Drake submitted in ■ mitigation of penalty that I the defendant did not go into the Square with the ini tention of becoming .involved jin any incident.' ? : I The Judge said it appeared •the defendant became involved quite casually , and i unintentionally, with rio pre- ! meditated plan to get ; involved. ’ ■ • ■ . J :. I However, he declined a .discharge without coniviction, saying the defendant’s manner and conduct (showed some degree of will’ingness.