MAGISTRATES COURT.

Lake County Press, Issue 69, 27 September 1872, Page 3

MAGISTRATES COURT.

MAGISTRATES COURT

. I n i-r&t Before H. A. Stratford, B.ffi. Martha Squires wttf fitted loa. or 24 hours’ imprisonment, for drunkenness. Chas. Clark, focusing obscene: language towards constable Quinn, was mulcted in the mitigated penalty of ss, be having been locked up all night. John M‘Derm*tt, for being drunk ind disorderly the previous day, was fined 10s, with the option of 24 hours' imprisonment. The same individual was then charged with resisting and assaulting the police. Patrick Quinn, police-constable at Arrowtown, deposed that he was on duty on the 17th, and arrested defendant on a charge of being drunk and disorderly. He resisted first of all by catching; hold of witness’ jumper and pulling against him. Witness went on —I then tripped him up on the street, and tried to handciuff him. I found I could not do it until Messrs Mackay and Frederick came to my assistance, I drew raj baton and made a blow at his shoulder, and caught him on the side of the head. Then got him down, and Messrs Mackay and Frederick assisted me to handcuff him. As soon as we 'allowed him to rise, handcuffed, he succeeded in straining the handcuffs and geting one of his hands out. He then .whipped the baton out of my hand and struck met vice on the head. I got hold of him again and the baton was taken from him ; I cannot say by whom. Defendant them made several kicks at my private parts. Through fatigue and the blood running into my eyes from the wound in my head, 1 was obliged to let go. By Accused —I struck you once on the head with my baton, and several times on your arms and legs. I did not kick you, I only tripped you up. By the Court—The accused had kicked at me and resisted before I drew my baton. I had tried to handcuff him. Messrs Mackay. Frederick, and Sergeant Hunt (who bad been called upon the scene), gave evidence confirming that of constable Quinn. The former witness gave testimony that M’Dermotl was just drunk enough to be unruly; and that had his wish been to escape he could have done so, but his intention seemed to be to get the upper hand of the police. The Sergeant stated that when be eame on the ground, he found prisoner struggling with one Laxton. Witness went up to accused, who said, “ There is not ah— y man in the Arrow' cun take me,” and at the same moment,- breaking away from Laxton, made a rush at the Sergeant, who then struck both his hand in succession with his baton. Prisoner then said he would go quietly, when he was brought to the lock-up. Constable Quinn’s uniform jumper was produced. The shoulder had been torn off, and the coat was stained with blood. It was a new article. In defence, M'Dermolt said the consta 1 le had not asked htm to go home before he arrested him ; and that he had been struck several times about the hotly, and got one or two cuts on his head. He was very drunk. He called Sergeant Hunt as to his character, but the testimony was not very flattering—he having, during the last six months, been twice locked up, once for drunkenness and once for potty larceny—on the former charge fined, on the latter acquitted? Prisoner was fined £5, with £4 13s costs and expenses —including value of the constable’s jumper; in default one month in Queenstown gaol, with hard labor. R. Frederick v. R. Whetland—This was a charge of assault arising out of the fracas with M'Dermolt, of whom present defendant was a mate. It seemed complainant was assisting the constable to secure M'Dermolt, and while stooping down so engaged defendant came behind and in a cowardly manner kicked Mr Frederick in private parts. The charge was fully proved, and accused awarded 14 days in company with the first prisoner. Houlahan v. Same—Assault, arising from similar circumstancs as last case; but in which the aggressor got knocked down for his pains.—Fined £2; in dcfau t, 48 hours, with hard labor, Police v. Same —Resisting and asvaulting police. Charge proved.—Fined £3, with 3s costs, or 14 days hard labor in Queenstown gaol. , Police v. John Martin - Similar to last. The evidence in this case was Sot very conclusive, and accused was ischarged with a caution.

} Mohdat, Skpt. 23. c; James Dewar was charged with Making use of foul language in a public place. He pleaded guilty, and was fined £l, with 5s 6d costs '; 'in default, three days imprisonment. ■ CIVIL CASE. & Pritchard v. Geo. Limbrick—Claim r £4 14s lid. No appearance of the