POLICE TAKEN TO IN LICENSING CASE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3280, 25 February 1926, Page 9

POLICE TAKEN TO IN LICENSING CASE

Created a Precedent Almost Unparalleled GROWN WITNESSES ARE PROSECUTED [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH. Last Night. A charge that the police had created a precedent almost unparalled and that the good name of the police force had been tarnished by it, was made in trie Magistrate’s ourt to-day by Mr R. Twyneham, counsel for a licensee and barman charged with supplying liquor to persons under the influence. Mr Twyneham said defendants in the present case had been called as witnesses by the police In an earlier case, in which two men had been convicted of drunkenness. The licensee and barman had voluntarily given evidence On that occasion, the barman stating that he had noticed the men were under the influence after he had served them, and had snatched the drinks away. The licensee deposed she had subsequently refused to serve the men and had ordered them Off the premises.

Counsel criticised the police action in prosecuting two witnesses upon whoso evidence they had relief on in securing the convictions, stating that they now asked tho Court to believe that witnesses who had been put forward as witnesses of truth were now liars.

Magistrate Young asked SubInspector Matthew if he thought there was a case to answer. The latter replied in the affirmative. Evidence of the barman was heard and the case dismissed.