POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16656, 28 September 1917, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

CHARGE OF ASSAULT.

A charge of assaulting Benjamin 'T. Hawkins, so as to cause him actual bodily harm, was preferred against Robert Morris (Mr. Tunks), in the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. E. Page, S.M. Benjamin T. Hawkins, an insurance agent and fruit-grower, residing at Birkenhead, said ho had known the accused about 15 years. On August 25 witness returned to Birkenhead by the 8.30 p.m. boat. As soon as he disembarked accused pushed against him, struck him on the face, and knocked him down several' times, finally causing him to fall on the concrete wharf, partly stunned. Ho then felt a kick in the ribs, and tried to seize Morris by the leg, but was kicked on the right hand. Morris then shook him off, and witness then felt <i blow -with a hard substance on the face. This made him insensible, and when he recovered consciousness someone was helping him to rise. Accused bad had drink, but was not drunk. As a result of his injuries witness had to remain in bed for 14 days, and received medical attention for a month. Prior to the assault witness had not spoken to Morris for six years, and had given him no provocation for the assault.

Cross-examined: Witness said tho accused had assaulted him about a year ago. He remembered accused being ill some time ago, but accused had never charged him with seducing his wife,-or promised him a thrashing when he. got the use of his limbs. Witness knew Morris had got a divorce from his wifo, who used to go to school with his children.

I M. J. Dunne said when he went to assist Hawkins ho (witness) was cut in several places with a knife, but he did not seo any knife. Other witnesses also gave evidence as to tho alleged assault. Dr. A. W. T. F. Meikle, describing Hawkins's injuries, said there were abrasions on the face, the eyes were swollen, teeth were loosened, and the nose and a rib woro fractured. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was fixed at £100, and a surety -of £100. A charge of committing a breach of the peace was adjourned until after the trial at the Supreme Court. CASES REMANDED. Robert J. Bryden, alias Woodward, was charged that at Drury on September 19, ho stole a horse, value £25, tho property of C. Waugh j and a watch and chain, value £1, the property of Frank Teddy: that on August 13 he broke and entered the premises of Margaret Somers and stole dresses, feathers, pictures, crockery, curtains, and a clock, value £3, and that on August 22 he similarly entered the_ same premises and stole furniture, value £7. Accused was remanded to appear at Papakura on October 1. Albert Crampton was charged with forging his wife's name to a post office re-direction order. A remand for a week was granted, the chief detective stating that other charges were pending. Bail in one surety of £200 was allowed. Charged with the theft of a pulley, Thomas G. Little was remanded for a week. On a charge of publishing, at Pukekohe, a statement indicating disloyalty, Victor Johnson was remanded*to appear at Pukekohe on October 4. MISCELLANEOUS. For being drunk while prohibited, John A. PryoT was fined £2, and on a similar charge, Park Sullivan was committed to Roto Roa for 12 months. Three first offenders for drunkenness were fined. Richard Lunniss, Samuel Ooatain, and William. J. Diamond admitted being absent from their ship without leave. They were sentenced to a week's imprisonment and ordered to be placed on the vessel before she leaves port. George C. Turnbull, who appeared for sentence for the theft of a coat, was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.