POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18951, 24 February 1925, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

ASSAULT ON BROTHER. HIT ON HEAD WITH BOTTLE. EVIDENCE CONTRADICTED. A substantial list of cases "were dealt with by Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday. Patrick Knox, aged 48 (Mr. Sullivan), pleaded not guilty to a charge of having assaulted his brother, William Knox. W. Carpenter, auctioneer, said he witnessed an argument between accused and his brother. One of them dropped a bottle of beer and an argument ensued concerning a remaining bottle. Accused seized it and struck his companion over the head felling him to the ground. Corroborative evidence was given by another eye-witness. - William Knox, the victim of the assault stated that at the time of his admission to the hospital he was unaware of the cause of his injuries. Later he remembered tho occurrence, but was sure his brother had not struck the blow. Another man had wielded tho bottle, and witness had moved in. an effort to prevent the blow from falling on accused. Mr. Sullivan submitted the brother's vorsion of the affray was correct. Mr. Poynton: It looks as though he was trying to shield the accused. It is, perhaps, creditable to him. Sergeant Rowell said accused had a list of convictions for minor offences. Mr. Poynton: His brother has tried to save him, so he will not. be imprisoned. Accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence in twelve months. THEFT FROM WOMAN LODGER. A theft of £SO from a woman was admitted by a young man whose name was ordered to be suppressed. Mr. Singer appeared for accused. Detective O'Sullivan said accused had been residing at the same lodging house. The woman was admitted to the hospital and accused undertook to attend to the removal of her effects. Ho retained £SO which he found among ber property. Chief-Detective Cummins said accused -1 had borne an excellent character. He had paid the young woman's return fare to Dunedin on two occasions, and was consequently entitled to a portion of the money. The Probation Officer could assess the amount of restitution to which the woman was entitled. Accused was admitted to probation for 12 months. TAXI. FARE NOT PAID. Failure to pay a taxi faro and drunkenness were admitted by Stewart McCombe, aged 26. Sergeant Rowell said accused engaged a taxi-driver to drive him from the racecourse to tho city. He had refused to pay and had only 5s 6d in his possession. Accused was fined £1 and ordered to pay the faro and costs. MOTOR-CYCLE ACCIDENT SEQUEL, A charge of having ridden a motorcycle in a negligent manner while in a state of intoxication and of having caused injury to Leonard Walker, was preferred against William Foley, aged 35. Sergeant Rowell said the victim of the accident was in the hospital suffering from a fractured skull. Accused was remanded until March 2, bail being fixed at £2OO.