BRAWL WITH POLICE

Evening Star, Issue 18810, 8 December 1924, Page 2

BRAWL WITH POLICE

A MACLAGGAN STREET HAPPENING A brawl between some dninks and the police in Maclaggan street on Saturday evening bad its sequel in the City Police Court this morning. In a melee which occurred, so it is stated, a constable was kicked and punched, and one defendant made an effort to stick his fingers in the constable’s eyes. A civilian was also knocked about. The result of the whole thing was that two young men—Walter M'Combie and Daniel De Courcey—appeared before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. M'Combie pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly behaviour in Maclaggan street. He pleaded not guilty to using obscene language, but admitted assaulting Robert Thomas Munro. De Courcey pleaded guilty to assaulting Constable Lindsay Eldon Watson. Senior-sergeant Mnthieson said that at about 6.10 on Saturday evening Constable Watson found M'Combie in a drunken state in front of the Metropolitan Hotel. The constable advised him to go home, but be became very belligerent. Ho was then put under arrest. The constable took him down the street. De Courcey then joined in, and a struggle occurred, during which he booted the constable and at tempted to put his fingers in the constable’s eyes. Constable Watson called for assistance, but the only man who came forward was Robert Thomas Munro. M'Combie so punched Munro that he had to bo attended by a doctor, who put several stitches in his face.

Constable Watson gave evidence. De Courcey denied kicking the con stable.

The Magistrate: Really a drunken brawl, I suppose. The Senior Sergeant: Yes. M'Combie was drunk, but Do Courcey could not ho said to be drunk.

Defendants said they came from South Dunedin.

The Magistrate said that, in regard to the charge against De Courcoy of assaulting the constable, he had some hesitation in letting him off with a fine. “It is,” he said, “ a serious matter to interfere with the police. Their duty is bard enough to carry out without interference from men of your type. Fined £5, in default three weeks’ imprisonment.” In regard to M'Combie, the Magistrate said ho would take into consideration the fact that he was drunk when the language was used, and when Munro came forward to assist the police. Munro was deserving of every credit for the way lie had acted in the circumstances. On the charge of disorderly behaviour M'Combie would be fined 40s, in default forty-eight hours’ imprisonment, and on the charge of obscene language he would be convicted. With reference to the assault charge, the Senior Sergeant said that Munro was still in bed, and there would be medical expenses. On that charge M'Combie was remanded til! Friday in custody. Robert Thompson pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly behaviour while drunk in Maclaggan street-. Constable Rusbatch said that he went to the scene and saw Constable Watson arresting a, prisoner. Accused was in fhe crowd, which was somewhat hostile, ami was yelling out: “Give the man a fair go, you mongrels!” His conduct generally was disorderly. Defendant said he was “ certain sure ” that he never used the term “mongrels.” A fine of 40s, in default forty-eight hours’ imprisonment, was inflicted.