HEATED EXCHANGES

Evening Star, Issue 19275, 14 June 1926, Page 8

HEATED EXCHANGES

AN ASSAULT CASE An assault case hoard in the Police Court this afternoon by Air TL W. Bundle, S.M., was enlivened by some very heated passages. Joseph Pereira complained that ho had been assaulted bv Charles Robert Ken 1 .

The complainant, a mason's laborer, living at Tomahawk, said that on the day in question, at about 5.15 p.m., be passed Kerr's house, and as ho die! so out rushed Kerr, and struck him twice on the left eye, blackening it, and inflicting a cut before witness could get rid of the newspapers which ho had on his back. Tie accused witness of chasing his children, whereas he had merely stopped them from doing mischief. Continuing his narrative uS to the fight, ■witness said ho got into it, and when he was winning Kerr’s wife stepped in between them. “ I would not hit a woman,” said Pereira, “so I stopped lighting. I am not that kind of a man.” t Complainant said he was called a etc., etc. When Pereira was questioned by Kerr, a heated exchange of shouted questions and replies arose, Pereira denied having called Airs Kerr a “ gammy-legged old ,” and denied insulting and kicking his children, though ho admitted having hit one of them. There was a barrage of questions as to why Airs So-and-so, and So-and-so, etc., etc., had stopped Pereira delivering the paper. “They won’t pay!” shouted Pereira. “They won’t pay their way!” “Just keep cool,” advised Seniorsergeant Quartermain, and witness lowered his voice a tone or two, so that it no longer rang through the Court.

Pereira laughed at the suggestion that it was not safe for him to go through Anderson’s Bay. Evidence was given by defendant’s little son and a resident named Clark. “We have been in torture witii Pereira for over two years,” said Kerr. ■“ He is known as 1 Peeping Tom ’ to the Tomahawk people, f Laughter from Pereira at the hark of the court.) He has been going round taking photos of girls in the lupines. He has a Joul mouth.” Kerr said that Pereira struck the first blow when witness told him to stop hitting the children. To the senior sergeant defendant admitted various convictions, including threatening behaviour, rooresenting himself as a detective, and Ho also admitted having left his wife and children, using an assumed name at Itanfnrly, and being brought back in custody. “ There is very bad blood between these two men.” said His Worship. "It is a pity that the little hoy was dragged into"this, for I do not accept the evidence he has given. Pereira’s evidence may bo a bit colored, hut J accept his statement in the main.” Defendant was bound over in his own recognisance of £SO to keep the peace. “Do you claim expenses?” Pereira was asked. Leaving the court, ho delivered a Parthian thrust. “Claim expenses? No, Ho hasn’t got anything to give.”