CITY OFFICE AFFRAY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 June 1935, Page 5

CITY OFFICE AFFRAY

TWO MEN INJURED (3HARGE OF BLACKMAIL REFERENCE TO BANK THEFT Evidence of a remarkable affray which is alleged to have occurred in a city office late on the night of Friday, May 17, was given in the Auckland Police Court yesterday morning, when a young man appeared to answer three charges. Accused was John Leslie Spicer, aged 23. He was charged with assaulting Alfred Richard Buchanan, assaulting Norman Kenneth Sligo so as to cause actual bodily harm, and with menaces demanding money from Buchanan, with intent to steal the money. Mr F. K. Hunt. S.M., was on the Bench, and senior Detective S. G. tlall prosecuted. Mr Jenkins appeared for accused, Spicer, and Mr R. A. Singer was present to watch the interests of both Buchanan and Sligo. MEDICAL EVIDENCE Dr. C. H. Tewsle.v said he was called to Windsor Buildings, in Anzac Avenue, on May 17 at 10.40 p..m., to examine three men. Buchanan was cut on the outer side of the right eye. He was lying on the floor, and was very lachrymose. Spicer had a cut on the outer angle of his left eye. Another man, Sligo, had a depressed fracture of the left cheekbone and bruising. Buchanan and Sligo were sent to hospital. Dr. Douglas W. Guthrie, who attended Buchanan and Sligo in the casualty ward at the hospital at 11 p.m., said Buchanan was admitted suffering from slight shock, and was semiconscious. He was discharged the following day. Sligo refused to be admitted, but witness considered he required surgical attention. Witness was shown a piece of broken chair, and said it would be possible for the injuries to both men to be caused by it. Dr. George Selwyn de Clive Lowe, who attended Sligo at Devonport on May 5, said he had- Sligo’s face N rayed, and the photograph showed that Sligo had a fracture of the upper jawbone on the left side, involving the orbit. The auxiliary antrim was filled with blood. On Monday, May 20, witness assisted Dr. AxforcT to operate. Witness viewed the situation as serious. It was actually a fracture of a part of the skull. Alfred Richard Buchanan, company manager, said Spicer was in his employ as a storeman and labourer until May 10, when witness dispensed with his services. Ho had instructions from his brother to dismiss Spicer because Spicer was not doing his duties properly. Spicer was paid £2 per week, plus overtime, and he was paid his full wages on May 10. About 6 o’clock on May 17 witness went to a city hotel and met accused and Norman Kenneth Sligo, who was also employed by witness’ firm. ACCUSED’S ALLEGED THREAT When witness arrived Spicer and Sligo were having a bottlo of beer. Accused asked witness to have a drink, and they Had three drinks, each “shouting.” All then went to the lounge, where they had two more drinks. “Spicer then became argumentative,” said Buchanan. “Spicer said, ‘You seem to he able to make money and I’m now going to make it out of you.’ Spicer said if I didn’t pay him lie would make it hot for me. He said he would do as Mrs Dexter had suggested to him.-’> /

Witness said Spicer threatened to tell the police that witness knew the money he had received from a man named Dexter was stolen. He said Dexter had got the money from the Bank of New South Wales. It was common knowledge that Dexter had stolen money belonging to a bank, and that he was serving a sentence. Spicer said he wanted some money to keep him while he was out of work. Witness told Spicer an hotel was no place in which to discuss such matters, and invited him to his office. Sligo, accused and witness then went to witness’ office shortly after 9 p.m. All three were sober when they reached the office.

Witness said Spicer opened the conversation by threatening witness for money. “He said that unless 1 paid him some money he would put me behind the bars,” said witness. “He also referred to the Dexter case and said he would go to the police unless 1 paid him. I refused to pay him anything. Ho said 1 knew the money I received from Dexter was stolen money. I told him to go and see the police if he wanted to and to call and see Mrs Dexter on his way back.” “BECAME VERY ENRAGED” “Accused became very enraged. 1 turned to speak to Sligo, and at this moment Spicer picked up a chair and threw it across the desk. That knocked me out and when I came to J saw Sligo scuffling with accused. Sligo appeared to have a head lock on Spicer, keeping him off the front side of the desk away from me. Spicer asked Sligo to let him go. Sligo agreed to do so if Spicer left tlie building quietly. Spicer said he would, and Sligo released him, but he walked to the front of the office, and as l walked round to the front of the desk, Spicer turned round quickly and started to hit me over the head with a picco of wood. I was knocked down on the ffoor. Sligo hopped in and overpowered accused, whereupon Spicer said he would leave if Sligo let him go. When Sligo let his go and turned his back on Spicer, Spicer seemed to pick up a chair, and the next thing I saw was Sligo on the floor.”

CALLED AMBULANCE AND POLICE Witness said that while on the floor he was kicked by accused. He tried to use the telephone, but Spicer prevented him each time. Witness was in such a condition he could not resist accused’s attacks. Eventually witness succeeded in ringing the St. John Ambulance. He also rang the police. Witness denied giving Spicer any provocation. Senior Detective Hall: In the scuffle were you bitten by accused: —Yes, on the left thumb. How was this money obtained by you from Dexter?—Bv gambling. Di.d you go to the btynk ?—Yes. when i heard of the theft I. went ‘to the bank, and in the presence of the manager and the auditor 1 offered to refund the money i bad won from Dexter. 1 bad no idea, at the time 1 won it that it was stolen money. Mr Jenkins: You weren't alarmed about him saying be would go to the police?—No; I bad already gone to the bank. You didn't consider for one moment giving him the money?—No. llis was a silly, futile remark?—lt was. The disorder in which he found the office was described by a member of the honorary staff of St. John Ambulance. “I saw Buchanan lying in a corner of the room with the telephone around his nock.” lie said. “He appeared to bo in a semi-conscious condition and was bleeding profusely from a wound over his eye. Buchanan was asked what had been going on, and he