A DETECTIVES ADVENTURE

Evening Star, Issue 15479, 29 April 1914, Page 8

A DETECTIVES ADVENTURE

A SAILOR “FALLS IN.” Detective Hammerley met a sailor at the Octagon last night, engaged him in conversation, did him a service, and then had to scuffle with the man, who assaulted him. He got the worst of the first fall, but succeeded in the next round, so to speak, in arresting his opponent, a burly foreigner named George Olsen. The detective’s success was not free from a measure of loss. He had his trousers damaged. The sequel followed this morning at the Police Court, when Olsen was charged with assault, and also with wilfully damaging a pair of trousers, valued 255, “ the property of John Frederick Hammerley.” He pleaded guilty to the first charge, and not guilty to wilfully damaging the trousers.

His Worship pointed out that the damage arose out of the assault, and should he included in the first charge. Detective Hammerley said that while ho was walking slowly through the Octagon last night he was accosted by the accused. After telling the accused where to go for a few minutes, witness resumed the conversation, without disclosing his identity or that he was even suspicious of the man’s movements. Finally - witness stopped at a lamp post and observed the accused’s manner. Accused walked away and returned four times. This strengthened the determination of witness to observe closely what the man was up to. “ I had this gold chain on my vest at the time,” said witness, “and I suspected that he was after it. When he returned the fourth time we walked away from the lamp post. The accused kept very close to me, and then attempted to put his hand into my pocket. I said to him: ‘ What do you mean by putting your hand into my pocket-?’ and as soon as I said that he struck me on the mouth. I pushed him away, but he took hold, and we had a scuffle. I got the worst of the first fall, being underneath. My trousers were torn in the fall, and my watch case was dented. In the subsequent struggle, however, I told him that I was a detective officer, showed him my pass, and informed him that I was going to arrest him. He came to the Police Station with some reluctance.”

Constable Findlay said that when the accused was brought into the watchhouse he admitted that he had “fallen in.” Chief - detective Herbert explained that the accused was off an American ship in port. His Worship said he did not think that the charge as to wilful damage would lie. It was a part of the assault. There was a feature in the offence that made the assault of a serious nature. Apparently the accused was intending to commit some crime. That would have to he taken into consideration as an ingredient. A substantial penalty would be imposed. Accused would be convicted of assault and fined £-5, or in default one month’s imprisonment ; 25s of the fine to go towards the damage. ,