POLICE OFFICER ASSAULTED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 53

POLICE OFFICER ASSAULTED.

(Frojc Onft Own Cobbespondent.) CHRTSTCHURCH, -January 27. Sub-inspector Dwyer had rather a rough experience on. Saturday night at the hands of a champion heavy-weight boxer, John Lloyd, who, after imbibing freely, began to look for trouble. The sub-inspector was standing by -the- Grain- ■ Agency building about 10 6'olook, when Lloyd, who was under the influence of drink, approached him and poked him in the neck with a bottle of beer. The sub-inspector did- not take the matter seriously, and spoke to Lloyd, at the same time informing him who he was. " Lloyd'said he did not care who he' was' talking to, and threatened the sub-inspec£or' with the bottle, which the police officer managed to break after having a second phot at. jt with his stick. Lloyd thea inquired if he was looking for trouble, and "Sub-inspector Dwyer assured him he was not. With that Lloyd struck him on the face and hit him' a " baok-hander " across the mouth, causing the blood to flow from his nose - and cutting his lip severely. The police officer at once "sailed in," a-nd -aftev wrestling for some time threw Lloyd. With police assistance Lloyd was put into a -cab, but he became so violent that he had to be held down. However, he 'managed in his struggle to damage the" vehicle to the extent of 15s. Uoyd was charged at the court this morning with' assaulting the sub-inspeotor and damaging the cab. The sub-inspector, after stating the above -facts, said that Lloyd was the New Zealand heavy-weight champion. He was quiet enough _ when sober, but was otherwise when intoxicated. He did not like bringing the man to court, and "as ~ne had apologised he did not want the court to deal harshly with him. He noticed that the accused had a bad foot, but he could not account for it except that it was done during his struggle in the cab. Mr Cassidy, who appeared for the accused, said that Sub-inepector Dwyer was not in uniform when _ the assault occurred, and the acouaed did not know him. * This was the first time the accused had been in court in his life, _ and when sober he was of a kindly disposition. He had received a very bad sprain to his ankle, and he (Mr Caseidy) thought he bad been punished enough. The Magistrate said that if the subinspector had been in uniform he would have inflicted a term of imprisonment, hut taking everything into consideration he would fine him 40s and costs. He had strong views on^the matter of assaulting the police, as it was the duty of the court to protect them.