THREE CHARGES OF ASSAULT

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 190, 8 May 1937, Page 7

THREE CHARGES OF ASSAULT

Alleged Fracas in House LABOURER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL Dominion Special Service. Napier, May 7. Three assault charges preferred against a Napier labourer, Samuel Smith, aged 59, iu the Magistrate’s Court at Napier this morning were the outcome of an alleged fracas in a house at Carlyle Street, Napier, on March 22. Smith, who was represented by Mr. S. 11. Morrison, pleaded not .guilty to charges of assaulting Charles Cording, Robert Spears, and Isabella Cording, additional charges of intended and actual bodily harm being preferred in connection with Charles Cording and Robert Spears respectively. Several | bloodstained exhibits were produced in court. Evidence of injuries received by Spears was given by Dr. G. E. Waterworth, who. on the instructions of the police, visited the house. The bedroom in ■which Spears was lying was in a state of great disorder, chiefly because of blood which was all over the floor and bedding, said witness. Spears was bleeding profusely from a wound on the right temple and there was t artery bleeding, which accounted for so much blood in so short a time. Spears was also suffering from shock and he was in a stupid condition. He was thoroughly examined at the hospital, and when x-rayed it was found the skull was fractured. Witness said he had been attending Spears and considered the fracture serious, as Spears had been suffering from brain symptoms. although he was improving and death was not likely to result from the injuries. The wound on Spears could have been inflicted with either the broom or the chair produced in court, witness being of the opinion it was caused by a blunt instrument used with considerable force.

“I next gave attention to Cording, who was suffering from shock ami a cut on the top of the head.” continued witness. “The cut required the insertion of two stitches, and blood had poured over his face and clothes. Isabella Cording also was given assistance for cuts and sprains. The wounds on Spears and Cording could not have l>een caused by a man’s fist." Mr. Morrison: Did you discover any signs of their having alcohol? —No. There was such a smell of blood that it obscured everything else. The next witness. Isabella Cording, said she had known accused for the past 10 years. When Smith arrived at her house, where he was staying, he had the appearance of having had drink. Smith was quarrelsome when he camo home, she said. Ho sat talking to himself and refusing to have tea. About 10 o’clock he wanted to know if tea was ready, but her husband told Smith it would not be put on at that time of night for anyone. Cording then sat down at the end of the table on a chair and Smith picked up a chair and hit witness’s husband once on the back of the head. The chair produced in court was the one Smith used.

“I saw Smith was going to hit my husband again so I rushed into the kitchen again and put out my arm and took the force of the blow on it,” continued witness. “Meanwhile my hus-

band was lying on the floor in a dazed state. Spears then walked through and Smith hit him on the head with a broom, knocking him to the floor. Although I tried to stop him he hit Spears several times and then walked over to the kitchen window and put his fist through it. Then lie walked out and the next time I saw him was when he brought the police back with him. After the affair was over a considerable quantity of Wood was on the kitchen and bedroom floors.” Corroborative evidence was given by the husband, Alfred Charles Cording. Tn evidence Detective K. Mills said that Smith’s excuse was that he had arrived home for his tea and found the fire out and he got wild. He said ho had had two small handles of beer from a gallon jar and explained the ■ condition of the broom by saying it had been broken the day before. When accused was charged he had said, “I am responsible. I came to the police ! station to-night to give myself up.” 1 This concluded the police evidence. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial to the next session of the Supreme Court at Napier. ‘