A CONSTABLE ASSAULTED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10560, 10 April 1920, Page 8

A CONSTABLE ASSAULTED

RESULT OF STREET AFFRAY. TWO YOUNG MEN FINED. .Arising out. of an affray in Adelaide road on April Ist, wherein a constable was assaulted, two young men were brought before Mr P. L* Rollings, S.M., at the Police Court yesterday, James Baldwin being charged with obstructing Constable Crowther and John Sydney Guildford with assaulting him by ing him with his elenened fist. , Inspector Emerson prosecuted, and Air P. J. O’Regan defended. In outlining the case, the Sub-Inspeo-tor said that a man named McLeod aiiu another person were engaged in a stand, up fight when the constable arrived, separated them, and' prepared to move them to the lock-up. On© of the men broke away, and McLeod resisted violently,- and was only overpowered ana handcuffed after a struggle, Thor© was a large crowd present, and some or them badly interfered with the constable, who was struck by at least three different people. One of thewo latter was Guildford, McLeod had been tmed i*s for using threatening behaviour and ,£lO for resisting arrest. On behalf of Baldwin it was shown that he only put his hand on the constable's arm and told him that he had* "got the wrong man," but the magistrate held that in the circumstances this was "obstruction." Ho had no patience with people who obstructed the police in the performancb of a difficult and dangerous task. They should render assistance. Baldwin would be fined £5 and costs, or in default fourteen days' imprisonment. The assault by Guildford was cowardly and brutal, and he deserved a severe term of imprisonment, but as it was a first offence he would give him a chance. The accused would bo fined JBIG and costs.