POLICE COURT

Southland Times, Issue 25270, 27 April 1935, Page 3

POLICE COURT

ASSAULT CHARGE SAWMILLER FINED In the Police Court yesterday morning before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., Ernest John Didham, a sawmiller, aged 30, pleaded guilty to assaulting John Thompson on April 22. Complainant, an elderly man, appeared in Court with both eyes blackened. Senior-Sergeant Kelly stated that at 11.30 p.m. on April 22, Thompson, who was an old age pensioner, returned to his home. His wife went outside to bring in some clothes, and heard a man trying to get over the back fence. Complainant went outside and asked Didham to go out of the front gate. Just at the gate defendant turned and struck complainant two severe blows which knocked him down. There had been some drinking apparently next door, and defendant wished to get away from some people there, and had climbed over the fence into Thompson’s property. Defendant, who had never been before the Court before for an offence of this nature, did not remember the assault. To the Magistrate: He had no recollection of the happening. The Magistrate: A very convenient excuse. His Worship said he should send defendant to gaol, but a fine would probably hurt him more. Didham would be fined £lO and ordered to pay costs and doctor’s expenses, in default two months’ imprisonment. Half the fine would go to Thompson and he would be allowed 14 days in which to pay.