Assault Claim Dismissed

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 222, 22 September 1934, Page 5

Assault Claim Dismissed

“LITTLE CREDIT ON ALL CONCERNED” Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Last Night. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day a case in which William Spencer, a war pensioner, of Riverton, claimed £6B 10s as damages from Dr. J. W. Bridgman, formerly of Riverton, but now of Greymouth, for injuries sustained as a result of an alleged assault, was concluded. A charge of assault, laid under the Justices of the Peace Act, was determined at the same time. The case was partly heard at Riverton on September 3 and had been adjourned to Invercargill. The Magistrate, Mr. E. C. Levvy, dismissed the charge of assault and gave judgment for defendant to the claim for damages. Costs were entered against plaintiff. Counsel for tho defence, Mr. R. B. Bannerman, declared that never at any time had Dr. Bridgman struck plaintiff, and submitted that the evidence he intended calling would show that Spencer was the aggressor and that Dr. Bridgman had never at any time lifted a hand to Spencer.

Mr. Bannerman declared that the whole case was a “ghastly fake” and seemed to have been instigated in an attempt to jeopardise defendant’s professional reputation. In giving his judgment the Magistrate said that the whole matter reflected little credit on all concerned, He found that plaintiff was tho aggressor and that ho had proved neither a first nor a second assault. If he had received any injuries, then they were the results of his aggressive act,