ATTACKED WHILE SLEEPING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 16 September 1926, Page 9

ATTACKED WHILE SLEEPING.

AUCKLAND RESIDENT’S

EXPERIENCE

RECEIVES SEVERE TREATMENT

(BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 16. George Ronsil-Cossey (40), a chemist residing at Mount Eden, was attacked' by an unknown assailant while he was asleep at two- o’clock this l morning. He was battered about the head' and body with a blunt instrument. Mr Roiiisil-Cossey, who is over -six feet in height and weighs 13st 61b, retired, to bed soon, after 9.30. , His wife being in- Whangarei, the only other occupants of the Louse were Mrs Thompson, a widow, and Mrs , Broadfoot, mother of Mrs Thompson. Mr RonsilCossey slept in a single bed usually occupied by-his wife ini the (poreli on the side of the house. Abo-ut 2 a.m. Mrs Broadfoot -beard a com motion; in Mr Ron sil -Cos-sey ’ s bedroom, and heard thud after thud. With her daughter slid looked through -a window overlooking -the -porch, -and saw Mr Ronsil-Cossey standing in the. porch with blood streaming from his- head a.ndi face. A constable was called, and lie made a thorough search without finding the assailant. There must have been a terrible struggle. Tufts of hair, cut from Mr Ronsil-Cosscy’s head with a blunt instrument, were scattered over the floor, tlie bedding was soaked With blood, and there were blood splashes on the walls. Mr Ronsil-Cossey said that when struck he thought h-e was dreaming. He lifted his hands to protect- his head, but received more blows from ail iron; bar ■wiolcfed! by -tb-e man, who field an electric t-orcli directed on Mr Tton-eil-Cossey’s face. One blow tore l the skin of the right leg from- the thigh to the kliee. He had seven scalp wounds, several right into the hone, and extensive bruises all over his body. A. man less iihySical.lv fit would, no doubt, have succumbed, but Mr RonsilCossev will survive, and his condition is quite satisfactory.