POLICE MENACED

Grey River Argus, 9 January 1941, Page 10

POLICE MENACED

Soldiers Join Fight SYDNEY STATION INCIDENT. SYDNEY, December 28, A violent struggle between a policeman and a man, who was subsequently charged with being a person deemed to be insane, on Central Railway Station last night was followed by angry scenes when a soldier went to the man’s aid and incited other soldiers and civilians to join him. For nearly half an hour three policemen battled against a menacing crowd, which included civilians and some soldiers. One of the policemen was struck a violent blow on the jaw and was nearly knocked out. | Shortly after eight o’clock, Constable Griffiths, of Regent if reef Station, who was on taxi-cab rank duty, observed a scrimmage on the assembly platform. He found one man on top of another, striking him with his fists and kicking him. When Constable Griffiths went to the man’s assistance, a soldier threw himself on him. The soldier called on other men in uniform not to Jet the policeman take his man. Other soldiers immediately joined in, but Constable Griffiths held his prisoner tightly with one arm while he </’- fended himself with the other. The crowd grew in numbers, and soldiers shouted" and called on others to resist the police. Constable Griffiths had been engaged in a lone battle for about ten minutes when Constables Dunn and Kidd rushed to hi s assistance and helped to keep the attackers at bay Other soldiers joined in the fight when they saw 1 the civilian and one of their comrades under arrest. Many blows were exchanged, but the policemen eventually got the soldier and civilian into a taxi-cab and they were driven to Regent Street police station. In the melee the victim of the original assault was hurried away by friends. Later a man wearing soldier’s uniform was charged with assault, resisting arrest, and with inciting others to resist his arrest. A second man was charged with being a person deemed to be insane, and he was taken to the 'Reception Huose.