DAMAGES AWARDED

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 121, 22 May 1926, Page 13

DAMAGES AWARDED

SYREYDON STABBING AFFRAY

COUNSEL WITHDBAW FROM CASE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHUECH, 21st May.

As a result of a stabbing affair on 16th January, when Thomas George Atldnson, a newspaper runner, was assaulted by Herbert James Symons in Bletsoe avenue, Spreydon, a claim for damages was heard to-day in the Supreme 'Court. Symons was previously convicted of common assault and was fined £20 and bound over. To-day Atkinson sued him for £633 17s damages, on account of injuries, received. Atkinson set out that Symons assaulted and wounded him by striking him with his clenched fists and by striking him behind the left ear and one finger with a knife. He claimed that he had suffered great pain of body and mind, and had been disabled from following his occupation. The claim was made up as follows: —General damages £500, special damages, and medical expenses £50, hospital expenses £15, lint, disinfectants, etc., £1 7s, loss of earnings (at £4 10s a week) £67 10s; a total of £633 17s. | Mr. S. C. S. Thomas, who appeared for Symons, said that his retainer and the retainer to Mr. Quigley had been withdrawn, and counsel asked for leave to withdraw from the case. Mr. Justice Adams said that he could only express regret that the jury would be deprived of counsel's help,, 1. >.t there was no doubt that his proper course was to withdraw, and leave would be granted. Symons, who is a retired mem' er of the English Police Force, did not appear. The jury, after retiring for nine minutes, returned a verdict for plaintiff for £100.general damages and £133 17s special damages. Judgment w,is given for plaintiff for £233 .17s, with costs, witnesses' expenses, and disbursements, to be settled by tho Ecgistrar.