ASSAULT ALLEGED

Evening Star, Issue 19765, 16 January 1928, Page 6

ASSAULT ALLEGED

FRACAS AT NORTH DUNEDIN The aftermath of an argument on December G was the appearance at the Police Court this morning of Phillip Gordon Sutherland, charged with assaulting Robert Alexander Morris, and with entering licensed premises whilst he was prohibited. Mr C. J. White appeared for tho defendant, who pleaded guilty to tho latter charge, hut not guilty_ to the assault charge, Mr White stating that Sutherland did not deny striking the other man, but objected to the other man not being charged. Sub-inspector Fahey said that both tho defendant and the complainant would be charged later with lighting each other in respect to happenings earlier on the afternoon in question. Robert Alexander Morris said that on December 6 last between 12 and 12.30 p.m-. defendant asked witness if he would shout for him. Witness said he would, and later shouted defendant three dnuks at Die Victoria Hotel. They left the hotel, and defendant then picked an argument with witness. Following this dispute, which was stopped by the appearance of a constable, defendant later wont down near the Bowing Green Hotel, and in a public convenience nearby ho was attacked by defendant, who knocked witness through the door. The next thing witness knew he, was in the hospital, where he remained for three df To Mr While: Before meeting Sutherland witness had had two drinks. Witness may have cracked defendant when they first bad an argument, because of an insult defendant had passed regarding witness’s mother “Weren’t von drunk when yon were admitted to the hospital?” Mr White asked the witness, who replied that ho had had only six drinks and was not drunk. „ , “ It was just a bit of a fight, wasn t it?” queried Mr White, “ Well, there was a bit of an argument, but how am I getting on for my expenses,” witness replied. “That’s what you’re worrying about,” said Mr White, “but you were, drunk, weren’t you?” “No,” replied witness, “they knew at the hospital that I had been drinking, but if 1 had been drunk they would have strapped me down to the bed, wouldn’t they?” (Laughter.) Gordon A, Spudding, salesman, residing in Cumberland street, said that form bis bedroom window be saw Sutherland rush at Morris—bethought without provocation—and push him through the gate at the rear of the Bowling Green Hotel. Witness saw Sutherland come out of the gate with blood on bis bands, and then helped to revive Morris, who was in a state of collapse. Witness thought neither of the men was drunk. Constable Harris said he saw Morns strike Sutherland a violent blow on the face. Sutherland grabbed Morris by the throat, and then witness separated them. _ Sutherland complained that Morns bad Icing hL him. ~ it To Mr White: Morns was the aggressor on that occasion. Sutherland stated in evidence that Morris asked him to have a drink at the Victoria Hotel. Morris later went asleep at the hotel, and witness suggested they should go home. In Hanover street Morris hit out at witness, who held his arms to prevent him hitting out again. Then they wereseparated by the policeman. Later, he saw Morris at the Bowling Green Hotel and asked him what the policeman said. As Morris mad? as if to hit out again witness got in first. To the sub-nspector, witness denied that he followed Morris to the Bowling Green Hotel. He admitted' that he had been in trouble before, and that he was prohibited. Sutherland said Morris was not found in the convenience. Morris was not on the ground after Sutherland struck him, but walked up a passage way. At this stage the case was adjourned till tho afternoon.