CHARGES OF ASSAULT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18175, 22 August 1922, Page 9

CHARGES OF ASSAULT.

ATTACK ON TAXI-DRIVER.

MAN IMPRISONED FOR A MONTH.

ANOTHER FINED TEN POUNDS.

Charges of having assaulted a taxidriver, George Goodman, were made in the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., against Austin Victor Ward, aged 25, and Percy Evans, aged 27. Mr. Sullivan appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty, and Mr. Ziman appeared for Gcwlman. George Goodman said that on the night of Saturday, August 12, the accused with two youmj women transferred to his car from another taxi. The driver of this taxi asked witness to collect 6s that was owing. Witness took hia passengers to their destination, Telford Avenue, Dominion Road. One of the men asked him to have a drink, but be refused. Evans paid for the run, but refused to pay the other 6s. Both accused then attacked him, and he was pulled on to the road. He wias kicked and punc.iied and he sustained injuries. James Mclvor said he heard cries for help, and on going to the scene saw two men dragging the previous witness across the- road, punching and kicking him. Corrobative evidence was given by his daughter. * For the defence, Ward contended tnat he never kicked Goodman, while Evans never touched the man except when -he assisted him to his feet. He had only had two nips of whisky between eight and a quarter past ten on the night ; n question, and he denied being under the influence of liquor. In Teply to Senior-Sergeant Rawle, accused said that earlier in the evening he went to see a friend at an hotel. Was it not a fact that you took out six bottles of beer? —I brought out four bottles of beer and a half-bottle of wine. As a matter of fact, was that not the friend you -went to see ?—Yes. Evans denied taking any part in .the affair. Mr. Sullivan said his last witness, one of the young women who was in. the taxi, was not in Court, although she had been subpoenaed. He understood she would not come to Court till she was forced to. As a result, a statement made by her to the police was read. In it, she said both accused were sober. The taxidriver called Ward a "mongrel," and Ooodman picked up something that looked like a crank-handle, and threatened the men.

The maeistrate said the case ■' one of credibility. Ho believed the story for the prosecution, vhich was borne out by independent witnesses. The assault was a brutal one and the man mieht have been killed. "This sort of violence is getting too common," continued Mr. Poynton. "and the offenders will have to be punished severely, for it is only by severe punishment that these offences can be restrained. Ward is by far the worst, and he will get one month's imprisonment. Evans will be fined £10, in default one mohlh. Seven days allowed to pay the fine." On Mr. Sullivan's application, security for anneal in the case of Ward was fixed at £20.