POLICE COURT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9186, 25 July 1902, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

ALLEGED ASSAULT AND ROBBERY

Two young men named John Edward Howell and Matthew Spellar were brought up at the Police Court this morning on a charge of having assaulted and robbed one John Hunsen in Gladstone road on Tuesday night.

Mr R. N. Jones appeared for accused who pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Siddells prosecuted.

John Hansen, labourer of Makaratu, Hawke's Bay, gave evidence that he had lately been working at Mangatu for the accused, Howell, and a man named McKenzie. He arrived in Gisborne on Monday last at 1 p.m., with about £2 in his pocket, including one pound note, and the balance in silver. He detailed his movements and expenditure that day and the next. On the Tuesday evening he was with a mate named Larsen and accused ut the Royal Hotel. They were drinking together and skylarking. At closing up time they were told to go; aud when witness left the hotel he had about 25s in his right waistcoat pocket. When outside he found Larsen was gone and the two accused again started to skylark with him. They gradually took him up to the comer above the Royal Hotel. One of the accused struck him a blow on the jaw with his h'st. The blow knocked him down and one of the men put his hand into his waistcoat pocket. After feeling the hand in his pocket witness received several other blows which felt as if they were from a boot. The wounds 011 his face were the result of the blows received. His jaw had been very much swollen. Witness lost consciousness for a short time, and on recovery he could see no one about. He walked down the street towards the Uni^ vcrsal dining-rooms, and met another mate named John O'Brien and some other men on. the road. He stood talking with O'Brien, and whilst there the two accused joined them from the direction of the Post-office. Witness's senses were now quite clear, and he accused Howell of taking witness's money, but he denied it. Howell pulled his coat off as if to fight. Witness did not know what became of Spellar.- A constable appeared on the scene, and witness made complaint to him. . . .

By Mr Joueg: The two accused and' witness were good friends in the camp. Spellar was also working there. He had no ill-will whatever against accused, and it was not by witness's wish that this charge was brought. Witness was subjected to a lengthy cross-examination by Mr Jones. He said that in making the complaint to the constable he had not mentioned any names. He said to O'Brien that he thought Howell had taken the .money, accusing him because he thought he w;if the ringleader. He did not' y^rk Spellar would do such a thins. Witness had done his share of the "shouting" during1 the evening, spending about 7s. He had about four rounds of drinks at the Royal: After beiiijf assaulted he walked past the hotel, seeing nobody about. ■ ■ ■ By the Sergeant: The skylarking in the hotel consisted of swinging witness round till he was giddy.

Jolm Larsen deposed to leaving hist witness and accused in the passage of th<j hotel shortly before 11. Hansen was then capable of lookinc: after himself: accused were under the influence of liquor. (Left Sitting)