CLAIM AGAINST DOCTOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 12

CLAIM AGAINST DOCTOR

ALLEGATIONS OF ASSAULT DISMISSAL OF CASE COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] INVERCARGILL, Friday A case in which William Spencer, a war pensioner, Riverton, claimed £6B 10s damages from Dr. R. W. Bridgman, formerly of Riverton, but now of Greymouth, for injuries sustained as the result of an alleged assault, was concluded in the Magistrate's Court today. A charge of assault laid under the Justices of the Peace Act was determined at the same time. The case was partly heard at Riverton on September 3 and had been adjourned to Invercargill. The magistrate, Mr. E. C. Lcvvy, dismissed the charge of assault and gave judgment for defendant in respect to tho claim for damages. Costs were entered against plaintiff. Counsel for the defence, Mr. Bannerman, of Gore, declared that never at any time had Dr. Bridgman struck plaintiff. Counsel submitted that tho evidence he intended calling would show that Spencer was the aggressor and that Dr. Bridgman had never at any time lifted a hand to Spencer. Mr. Bannerman declared that the whole case was a "ghastly fake" and seemed to have been instigated in an attempt to jeopardise defendant's professional reputation. In giving judgment, the magistrate said that the whole matter reflected little credit on all concerned. Ho found that plaintiff was the aggressor and that he had proved neither tho first nor the second assault alleged. If he received any injuries they were the results of his aggressive act.