POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20622, 22 July 1930, Page 12

POLICE COURT NEWS.

MAN ASSAULTED IN HOTEL.

PUGILIST SENT TO PRISON.

Described ns a fisherman, and pugilist Colin McDonald, aged 27, was charged in tbo Police Court yesterday 'morning with assaulting Herbert William. McGeehau on Saturday in a city hotel. He entered a plea of guilty under provocation.

Sub-Inspector Shanahan stated that accused approached McGeehan in a city hotel .on Saturday afternoon and struck him several times without provocation. McGeehan, who made no attempt to retaliate, could givo no reason for the assault as he had never seen accused beforo.

Mr. Fennell, who represented accused, stated that McDonald had paid for drinks with a 10s note and complainant had taken his change. Accused had intended to lay a charge of theft against McGcehan.

Remarking that accused had been sentenced previously to three months' imprisonment for assault and had been convicted for a breach of tho peaco and threatening behaviour, the magistrate, Mr. *F. K. Hunt, sentenced McDonald to 14 d»ys' imprisonment. A fine of £2 was imposed on Thomas Kelly, aged 34, a seaman, who was convicted of fighting in Customs Street West on Saturday, whilo a charge against Thomas McMullan, another seaman, aged 42, was dismissed. It was stated that when both men were arrested they wero exchanging blows, but Kelly was the aggressor.

Similar charges were brought against Clarence James Parkinson, aged 21, and Charlos Olson, aged 22, both labourers, living at the mission shelter. It was stated that their fight had arisen out of tho previous incident. "If I fine them they will havo to take it out in gaol. Neither can pay a fine," said tho magistrate ,who convicted and discharged both accused, who were warned that if they appeared again they would La dealt with rnoro severely.