ASSAULT AT CLEVEDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 16

ASSAULT AT CLEVEDON.

''BLACKGUARDLY ATTACK."

TAXI-DRIVER IMPRISONED

THREATS WITH SMALL HAMMER

"This is a. r-iiM* of blackguardly assault. Jika you to walk about, (lie (own," .said Mr. F. K. I fuu t, S.M., in 11 n> Police Court yesterday, when James Tail, taxidriver (Mr. Singer), Mas charged with assaulting Captain Georgo IfiiiiifdirrysDavies and Stanley Austin Carr at devotion on Sunday, September 9. Captain Jlumplncys-Davies said he drove fn Mr. ('air's farm in tho afternoon, finding a strange car there. A man and a girl were nearby, wliilo some distanco away accused and .1 woman wevo walking, lie saw a dog clusing soino of Mr. t 'arr's sheep and some of his own, the farms adjoining. Walking down to fho couple, ho told Tail lo call the dog off.

Mr, Singer: The dog was only eight inches high—a miniature Pomeranian. The Magistrate: And probably creating tuiough nuisance In bo eight feet high. Witness said accused's companion repained possession of tho animal. Asked what they were doing on. private property Accused replied that he was an inspector in (ho Forestry Department and could go anywhere he liked. The woman supported flis .statement.

Early Training in Boxing. Witness walked back to Mr. Carr's houso and, informing him of the position, was given authority to order tlie people off the place. Tho other couple ncreed to leave and witness had just pro reeded to fako tho number of the car ■with the aid of glasses when accused came up. Taking off his overcoat, accused said, "Now T have got you. I am going to out you." Tho woman urged accused to "get into him." Accused made several Mows at him, hut he was wild in his "swipes," and witness had little difli mlty in avoiding the attack. This was due to early training in boxing, witness said. Later witness had to clinch with accused and the two rolled on the ground. (Witness held his own until Mr. Carr Arrived, attracted by his cries. The two held accused until they were exhausted. The other trespasser did not interfere. Accused was very violent and threatened to burn Mr. Carr's house down and also to destroy witness' car. He had possession of a small hammer at one stage and used it threateningly. Seeing that accused was in a dangerous mood witness took an opportunity during a spell in the fight to search for a, spanner or something suitable to "put him out temporarily." lie could not find anything, hut matters had then begun to quieten down.

Women's Timely Intervention. There were three stages to the fight, the whole lasting about 20 minutes. Accused was prevented from entering the bouse by a neighbour who came across to. (ho scene. Witness said both Mrs. Carr and Mrs. Humphroys-Davies were drawn into the light and were pushed about. Accused was relieved of the hammer by Mrs. Humphreys-Davics. "Mrs. Carr and Mrs. Humphreys-Davies had to come to our belp," witness added, "t think it was their intervention which saved our lives." "Accused acted liko a lunatic," said Mr. Carr, in giving 'his version of the affair. "I do not think bo was drunk. Ho endeavoured to 'do us nil in' with the hammer." Tho Magistrate: Truly a nice, pleasant Sunday afternoon. Asked as to the nature of his defence Mr. Singer said there was none to offer. Accused had been drinking and had evidently acted liko a raving lunatic. Describing accused as a blackguard the magistrate sentenced him to one month's imprisonment, for assaulting Mr. Hum-phreys-Davies. Accused: It was not liko that Tlio Magistrate (sharply) : Don't you answer me. , On the charge of assaulting Mr. Canaccused was fined £lO, in default one month's imprisonment. Witnesses' expenses wcro fixed at £7.