Gang remark led to assault, Court told

Press, 25 May 1984, Page 3

Gang remark led to assault, Court told

PA Timaru A council supervisor hit a youth with a slasher handle after the youth bragged about joining the K.K.K. gang, the District Court in Timaru was told yesterday. “He gave me a smart look, that’s when I gave him a hit on' the head,” Peter Toto, aged 38, a Timaru City Council supervisor, said in a statement to the police. “I think I did it out of frustration, when he said he would join the K.K.K. gang." Toto (Mr B. D. Young) was charged with assault with intent to injure. He was acquitted of the charge bv a iurv. but found guilty

of assault. For the Crown, Mr T. M. Gresson said that when the complainant broke a bucket, the accused picked up a slasher handle and hit him across the head, shoulders and leg. Allan Grant Smallridge admitted to the Court that he gave the accused a smart look when asked about the bucket. “But it is not true about joining the K.K.K. I said I would not join them again.” He said that he had bragged to the accused’s work-gang. “I used to be a member of the K.K.K.s. I used to be one of the leaders,” he said.

“There was never any dislike of Maoris explained to me. The rest of the gang used to go out to belt Maoris up but I never did.” Toto, in evidence, said he was not happy with Smallridge’s bragging about the gangs. However, he said he thought his reaction had been an “isolated incident.” “Once he mentioned the boot-boys and he said that when they walk into the Square (Christchurch) all the Maoris take off, because they beat them up,” Toto said.

Judge Fraser remanded Toto at large until this morning for a probation report and sentence.