ALLEGED ASSAULT

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 149, 21 December 1921, Page 8

ALLEGED ASSAULT

POWER-HOUSE EMPLOYEES

CONCERNED.

Employees of the Wellington City Corporation power-house figured in a case heard before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day, John Neil being charged with' assaulting John Barrett on or about midnight on the 2nd December, so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Senior-Ser-geant Lander' represented the police, and Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell appeared on behalf of the accused.

"This is rather an unusual case," remarked Senior-Sergeant Lander inopening. "The accused and the complainant, as well as practically all the witness, are employees of the City Council power-house." The accused came on duty at midnight on the 2nd December, to relieve the complainant. It was alleged that Neil immediately followed Barrett and assaulted him violently. Dr. Diggle stated that he had been called to Barrett's house and found that the injuries included a bruise on the right jaw, a blow on the nose causing a fracture of the bridge, a blow above the left kidney, a fractured rib, and another rib painfully contused. The injuries 'were consistent with the story of the person having been violently assaulted and kicked.

John Barrett stated that he had been employed as a foreman at the city power-house for some time. On the 2nd December, witness and his trimmer? (Midgley) .were relieved at midnight by Neil and another man (Wallace). Witness left by the Wakefield ; street exit. There was nobody outside, but on going towards Taranaki-street witness had a feeling that the accused was following him. He found this to be correct, and waited for the accused, asking, "What's up?" Accused, it was alleged by 1 witness, then made use of offensive terms, and struck the witness, who had stepped back into the coalyard. He was struck on the nose and fell, whereupon accused kicked him in the ribs and on the back. • As witness was getting up accused kicked him again in the chest. Finally, witness succeeded in rising, and endeavoured to get away, ;but Noil struck'him again on the back and back of his head. Soon afterwards witness managed to get away, and,ran to the Taranaki-street Police Station, where he laid a complaint. A constable , accompanied witness back to the powerhouse. Witness's nose was bleeding freely. When approached by the constable the accused pretended to know nothfhg about the assault. Witness had not at any time given Neil cause for such an attack. (Proceeding.l