CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19969, 10 December 1926, Page 4

CITY POLICE COURT.

Thursday, December 9. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) STREET ASSAULT. A young man named David Taylor pleaded guilty, through his solicitor, Mr 8.. S. Irwin, to having unlawfully assaulted Edwin Bennett. —Mr Irwin said it was a question of provocation, and that' Bennett, who did not appear, ' r- as on probation. —Sub-inspector O’Halloran stated that close on 7 o’clock the previous evening, at the corner of Rattray and Princes streets, accused had deliberately gone up to Bennett and struck him in the eye. A constable was then within a few yards of him, and saw the whole occurrence. The assaulted man should have been present in court, but was not in attendance. — Mr Irwin said nothing was known against accused prior to this. He was a hard worker, and had been in Dunedin only nine months, having come from the Auckland district. The constable had seen him go up to Bennett and strike hinj, but there must have been some provocation for the act.—Accused said that a couple of nights previously Bennett had come up to him and made filthy suggestions, and had, on the evening in question, “grinned” offensively at him in passing, with the result that he (accused) had punched him. — Mr Bartholomew said that there was no dispute about an assault having been committed. The only question was what brought it .bout. On the face of it accused appeared to be a hard-working man of good character, and did not drink. He had admitted the assault. There must have been something to account for the act, but, of course, accused was not justified in hitting the man. He (Mr Bartholomew) would impose a small penalty. Accused would be fined 10s, with witnesses’ expenses (10s). A DISTRESSING CASE. A young girl of respectable appearance, whose name was suppressed, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person, in that she had no lawful means -of support.—The girl pleaded guilty. Mr T. O'Shea, who appeared on her behalf, said this was a family affair. The family did not want the _ girl convicted, but was anxious, if possible, to have something done for her. If it were possible, it was thought that she might agree to some system of supervision. If she did the matter could be adjourned, and the proceedings could later be withdrawn.—Mr Bartholomew asked what arrangements could be made, to which Mr O'Shea replied that perhaps Ensign Coombs might be able to suggest something.—Mr Bartholomew asked if what was desired was that the girl should not go away from home without approval, to which Mr O'Shea replied that she had gone away, and had had absolutely no money. The family desired to _ protect her.—Mr Bartholomew (addressing the. girl), said she was too young to take, her life into her own hands. He asked her what hope could she have for the future. Ho did not want to enter up a conviction. The case would bo withdrawn on condition that the girl was placed under the supervision of Ensign Coombs. If accused did not behave herself satisfactorily she would be brought before the court again and sent to an j institution. In the meantime the information would bo withdrawn.