A MIDNIGHT ARREST.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8097, 28 September 1904, Page 2

A MIDNIGHT ARREST.

POLICEMAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT.

[PAIBB ASSOCIATION.] TDIARU, September 27, Constable Alfred Brown, stationed at Temuka, was charged before the S.M". at Temuka to-day with violently assaulting a man named D. Geaney, a stock agent, at 11 p.m. on the 16th inst. Complainant swore that he went to the constable's house to moke a complain* against another man, and reused Brown out of bed. Ueaney alleged that Brown came to the door, and, without waiting to hear a word, struck him violent blowa in the <aoe which blackened both eyes, at the same time ordering him to go away. Geaney went to a neighboring house and called up the owner, Lee. As Lee came out Brown came up and attempted to handcuif and arrest. Geaney, ana with Lee's help did so.. Brown absolutely denied bitting Geanej at his own house.

Lee suggested that the damage to Geaney's . face occurred during Ms resistance to arrest, and counsel for the defenoe suggested tliat the complainant waa too drunk to know exactly what happened* The Magistrate concluded that eon* plaiaant had! been drinking, and waa also* excited by the matter he had to seport to the constable, so that he oo»W not coherently say what he wanted, ami the* bad language he used led tho constable' to arrest him. His Worship; remarked! that he had made no complaint to Leer that the constable had struck him. He> concluded that the injuries were received? during the arrest, and as complainant had? foolishly resisted arrest he had only him>self to blame. the case was dismissed.