DAVIDSON'S DIVERSION

NZ Truth, Issue 602, 30 December 1916, Page 11

DAVIDSON'S DIVERSION

An Outing with Annie O'Neill Leads to a Charge of Assault. (From "Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) The story of a Christchurch street scrap was unfolded m the local S.M.'s. Court last week, when a soldier named John Davidson was charged with hay- I ing assaulted Annie Brocker, alias Nancy O'Neill. Lawyer Cassidy represented Davidson, who pleaded not guilty. As a preliminary, Annie Brocker, after a week's patching-up m the hospital, was charged with being drunk on THE DAY OF THE DUST-UP. She pleaded guilty and was fined ss. The story then: told by the witnesses for the prosecution, was that Annie approached Davidson m the street and caught him by the coat, whereupon , he clouted the lady and kicked her. More light was thrown on the affair, however, when Annie entered the wit-ness-box. She reckoned she had casually met Davidson about 8 o'clock on the morning under notice. She ; drew £2 from the bank, and having no pocket, gave the money and bankbook to the soldier, who was to look after It. They then adjourned to a "pubbery" and had a couple of drinks, Annie being very careful m explaining to the court that Davidson paid for "his drinks with his own money and drew the payment for her drinks from her £ 2 which he held, m order not to infringe the anti-shouting law. The drinks having been consumed, they had some more, and Annie suggested a ride to New Brighton. Davidson chartered a taxi, but when they had gone part of the way, Annie protested that as she was paying for the joy ride, a common or garden tram-car would have to suffice. Therefore, the taxi was dismissed and its occupants adjourned for some more drink, the lady by that time being pretty well "sozzled." .The Sub-inspector: What about the assault? — Oh, I was pretty well muddled and I can't tell you much about it. I. don't think tho boy was to blame though. I'LL TAKE ALL THE BLAME. But you had to go to the hospital as a result of it?— Yes, three days m the hospital and (smilingly) four days' "solitary." ■ Did the accused hit you or kick you? — Well, I could not say. Anyway, he was not/ to blame (to the accused) : Were you? Mr. Cassidy: You were out to enjoy yourself that morning? — Yes, don't you think I did? I think I was to blame for the assault though. Don't blame the boy. Sergeant Lopdell gave evidence to the effect that Annie told him that she had given her bank-book and £2 to Davidson, with injunctions not to return It to her unless she was perfectly sober. Giving evidence m defence, Davidson said he was a corporal and left with the 3rd Reinforcements. He was wounded at the Suvla Bay landing and had enlisted again, but was turned down as physically unfit on. account of his Gallipoll Injuries. Annie had told him not, to give her the bankbook and money if she was not sober. They went' to Brighton m tho taxi, and on returning to town she was pretty drunk and persisted m following him. Ho could not shake her oft, although he wanted to do bo, becauso she was making an exhibition of him m the street Finally, when ahe grabbed him and tore a couple of buttons from his tunic, HE PUSHED HER AWAY and she fell. He denied striking or kicking her. Mr. Cassidy, m urging leniency, pointed out that if Davidson was convicted he would lose his military pension. The* S.M. said he would not like to see the accused made to suffer to that extent, although he and Annie were equally wrong m the trouble. Davidson would not be convicted, but would be ordered to pay Annie's hospital expenses.