MOLLISON IN DOCK

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 April 1932, Page 12

MOLLISON IN DOCK

AN ASSAULT CHARGE.

LONDON, February 19-

James Allan Mollison, 26, of Grosvenor House, Park-lane, the Australian airman, who last August beat the record by flying from Australia to England in just under nine days, appeared in the dock at Marylebone Police Court yesterday. He was charged with assaulting Henry Ward, porter, of Inverness-mews, Queen’s Road-

Ward, whose face was bandaged, said that he lived over a garage at Inverness-mews. The previous night he heard scuffling near the porchway leading to his home, and saw the accused there with two women. He asked Mollison what he was doing there, and he replied, “I am just saying ‘Good night’ to my friends.” He was told it was private property, but declared that it was his intention to remain.

“With that,” said Ward, “he struck me. I was wearing glasses, and the glass broke and cut my eye. I closed with him and held him, and called for help. My young brother came down and fetched the police.” The Magistrate (Mr Hay Halkett): You are not afraid of losing sight of your eye, are you? Ward replied that he wasIn view of that statement the magistrate said he had better adjourn the case to see how the injury progressed. Asked if he hit Mollison back, Ward said he did not, and he only closed with him and held him until the arrival of the police- Mollison threatened to kill him, and, during the struggle, kicked him on the head. Defendant was remanded on bail.