CHARGES OF ASSAULT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15748, 24 October 1914, Page 5

CHARGES OF ASSAULT.

FIGHT AT KINGSLAND.

Two young people, Ethel and Wilfred Kehoe, brother and 6ister, pleaded not guilty at the Police Court yesterday to a, charge that, at Auckland, on October 11, they did unlawfully assault one James Matthew Buckley, so as to cause .him actual bodily harm.

The case was heard before Mr. E. C. i Cutten, S.M.; Cuiei-Detectivo McMahon appearing lor the prosecution, and Mr. A. U. Quartley lor tlie defence. James Matthew Buckley, a baker, of Grey Street, said that on October 11 he went to Kehoe's to collect a <iebt on some furniture he had sold them. The door was answered by Ethel Kehoe, who said her mother was out, and who called her brother to the door. When Wilfred appeared, witness asked what about the money that was owing to him, and Wilfred said he would pay him ' with his tiste. Words ensued, and Wilfred struck nun. They closed, and he caught Kehoe !by the throat. Wilfred Kehoe then called out flit him, Ethel," and Ethel at once nit him on the back of the head with an iron stove rake. A neighbour named Eraser next came along and separated them. Witness was in a rage, and picked up a, stone and hit Wilfred, who cried out, "I'll murder you." Afterwards witness gave information to the police, and obtained medical attention. The wound on uii head caused him to be absent from' nusiness for several days. Frank Fraser said he was attracted by cries of "Police! Help! Murder!" and saw Buckley and Wilfred Kehoe fighting. Ethel Kehoe was helping her brother by trying to pull Buckley off. Witness separated _ the combatants, Whereupon Buckley picked up a stone and hit Kehoe with it. Witness did not see anything of an iron stove rake. Wilfred appeared to be half-strangled, and seemed to have got the worse of the encounter.

Rose Kehoe. a sister of the defendants, said that Buckley struck Wilfred first, and they commenced wrestling. Her brotjhar failed out, " Help and she then ran for a policeman, but could not find one. When she came back she did not see the stove rake out in the front of the house.

Constable F. Hammond said that two complaints of assault were made to him : one Dy Buckley, and one by Wilfred Kehoe.

Detective Sweeney said he went to Kehoe's on October 15, for the purpose of serving the summonses on the two defendants. He took possession of the stove rake.

Owing to the absence from Anckland ot the doctor who examined Buckley, the further hearing of the case was postponed until Tuesday next.