FARTHING VERDICT

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 July 1933, Page 6

FARTHING VERDICT

AGAINST POLICE CONSTABLE. SYDNEY, June 22. One farthing damages was awarded a plaintiff against a police constable by a jury in the District Court yesterday. Plaintiff was Joseph Francis Brooks, of Berna-street, Canterbury. He sought to recover from Sidney Long, police constable, of Canterbury, £lOO damages for alleged assault. The action was heard before Judge Thomson and a jury of four. Plaintiff alleged that on February 7 he was conversing with a friend, a taxi-driver, near Canterbury railway station, about midnight. He made a remark to his friend. He looked round and saw defendant, who interposed a remark. Plaintiff resumed his conversation with his friend, at the same time coughing. Defendant then said to plaintiff, “1 have a good mind to come and thump you on the ear.” De-

fendant walked who stepped back. Defendant then struck plaintiff on the face with his open hand, and said,"Now you can get along homo out of this.” Plaintiff replied, “Thanks, very much.” Plaintiff went home, and telephoned the Canterbury police station. Later, he wrote to de-

fendant demanding an. apology, which was not forthcoming. The defence was a denial of assault. Defendant said plaintiff made a. remark in a fairly loud tone. Defendant told plaintiff he had better go home instead of talking there in the early hours of the morning, as complaints had been received from people kept awake by talking. Defendant neither struck nor attempted to strike plaintiff. The jury found in favour of plaintiff for one farthing. I