SYMPATHY WITH CRIME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3585, 10 March 1914, Page 7

SYMPATHY WITH CRIME.

ASTOUNDING POLICE STORY

MAN’S LIFE IN DANGER. SYDNEY, Fob. 20. Simply because James Flemming, a coal-lumper, prosecuted the desperate Russian-Finn, Oscar Laine, at the Water Court on Monday, for savaging him in the cells at No. 4 Police Station on Saturday night, he now carries his life in his hands. It is not .safe for him to venture out into the streets of Miller’s Point, and ho is constantly in deadly fear of danger that lie knows is ' lurking at every corner. « This much and more was told at the Y,hater Police Court this morning, when William Lillico, a wharf laborer, was charged with assaulting ingConstable E. Jones stated hi evidence that he saw Flemmino and Lillico standing in the dtorw ’./ of the Manchester Hotel, Kent . City, last night. Flemming was drunk, and Lillico was holding him with in* (eft hand and punching him on the face with his right hand. Accused hit him on the nose, causing it to bleed freely. He then hit him over the right eye, cutting it, and knocking Flemming down. Lillico cried out, “Get up, you and lifted his foot to kick him. Witness then stepped in and took both men to the No. 4 Station. Afterwards he took Flemming to Sydney Hospital, where he was stitched up by Dr. Van Epe«. Lillico was charged with assault, and Flemming with being drunk. Flemming’s story was that he was in the Manchester Hotel, when somebody cast a slur on his wife’s honor. There was a big crowd round, and ho made ,a rush to get out. As he did so somebody punched him, and he fell. Senior-sergeant Drew: Don’t yen know who it was? —No. "Wasn’t it this man Lillico —I don ' think he would do it. I know his brother so well. Now, isn’t it because you are friglUened that you won’t say anything?— No; it is not that. “This man,” said Senior-sergeant Drew to the magistrate (Mr Barnett). “is in constant fear of his life. H'.s existence is unbearable. He prosecuted that Russian-Finn savage on Monday because ho had a right to Ho was almost murdered, and because he came to the court he is being intimidated. His life is threatened. The general public has no conception of what this intimidation really means. There are gangs of men in Miller's Point who would stop at nothing in their sympathy towards criminals of the worsjt type. This man knows it, too.” Flemming; Yes. I have been threatened. I’m not frightened to go round Miller’s Point, but anything might happen, and just because I prosecuted that cannibal, who bit pieces out of me. He wou.d have eaten me, and yet they call me a police pimp. The Magistrate: Is it a fact that in a city like this, just because a man givc3 evidence against a cannibal liko that, he is in danger of his life in the locality ? Senior-sergeant Drew : Yes. Isay so unhesitatingly. Assisting the polieo Is the worst crime a man oar. be gui.ty of in parts of Miller’s Point, among men who stop at nothing. 1 am speaking from thirty years experience. The Magistrate: Flemming was half murdered in a cell, and he is faced with the alternative of saying nothing and walking the streets safely, or speaking up as he should and walking the streets in danger of his life. In a so-called civilised country it is astounding that such intimidation should be exercised over people who assert tljeir rights. Lillico pleaded guilty, and said he had nothing to say. Flemming was called back to the box by Mr Barnett, who said, “Look, Flemming, if you go on like this one morning you will be found dead killed by someone. This is twice this week tiiat you have been charged with drunkenness. If you come before me again I will suggest 12 months as an inebriate. That vHll be the host thing that could happen to you, particularly as your life is in danger. Lillico, whom the magistrate said would have kicked Flemming as he lay on the ground had it not been for the timely arrival of the police, was sentenced two two months’ hard labor.