AN ASSAULT CASE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 9

AN ASSAULT CASE.

TERRITORIAL officer ill

TREATED.

SEFTON MEN CONVICTED

Before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., afl the Amberley Magistrate’s Court yesterday Thomas Dobson (Mr Van Asch) appeared on a charge that on June 23 ho did unlawfully assault George Hugh Morrison, a sergeant-major, at Seftoii. Accused pleaded guilty. Mr Van Asch said that accused admitted striking the complainant, hut did not know that ho was a returned soldier, and as a similar charge was laid against one George Gome, who would nlead not guilty, counsel asked that: the latter case be taken first, and as the evidence would be pimilni in both cases Dobson could be dealt with afterwards. • , , , Captain Pilkington conducted the prosecution for the Defence Department. George IT. Morrison gave evidence that ho was a returned soldier and was. now a sergeant instructor of cadets' and Territorials stationed at AmheiTev. On tho date mentioned ho was on duty at- Rangiora, being detained until 9 p.in., and then journeyed by motor-bicycle to Amberley. On the wav lie had trouble with his lights, and nt Sefton he made for a light at the hotel, where he saw some men, from whom he made inquiries as to obtaining a lamp. A man named Binnie, a returned soldier, came along and offered to go and got, a lamp, but whilst he Was absent on that errand witness managed to get his own lamp to bin n satisfactorily. On attempting to continue his journev he was prevented by Gorrie from riding his motor-cycle, and Dobson then joined in and struck witness a blow, knocking him down. While on the ground he was kicked, and on rising was struck again by Goiiie. tunic intervened and prevented any further blows being struck and assisted witness to mount bis machine and get away. Witness had no doubt as to tho identify of accused or who struck him. Both accused called him very foul names. ■ , „ To Mr Van Asch: He did not fad off

the motor. The accused used veij toul talk and wanted to nick a row with witness. He was not responsible for the report in the newspapers of the assault. . A. Binnie, horse trainer, belt-on. a returned soldier, stated that on the night in question Dobson and Gorrie followed Morrison, whose motor light was faulty. Witness saw Dobson striko Morrison and stopped further fightTo Captain Pilkington: He did not see Gorrie strike - Morrison, as witness’s hack was to him. To the Magistrate: There was. a scuffle oti the road before witness joined in. Lieutenant Williams and A. G. l'usaell and Constable Kennedy also gave evidence. „ . , , For the defence Mr Tan Asch submitted that complainant did not know who hit him and that only one blow was struck, and that by Dobson. George Gorrie and Thomas Dobson both gave evidence. The Magistrate said that the offence was a serious one and he could only behove the evidence of those who were sober at the time. The evidence of the sergeant-major must be accepted. The stove represented by the accused showed {hat * Dobson was drunk. He could not believe Gorrie at all, and his evidence was very unsatisfactory. He must therefore be convicted with Dob*°Mr Van Asch stated that Dobson was very well known in Softon and residents could testify to his character. For a provoked t»»«an]t some seven vein's ago ho was fined. Dobson was willing to have a prohibition order issued against' himself. Tho Magistrate referred to the gravity of the offence, stating tha had Binnie not intervened serious consequences may have arisen. Dobson, who asked lor a prohibition order, was fined £5 and costs, halt the costs to go to Morrison. Gorno was .sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment . __________