ASSAULT CHARGE

Southland Times, Issue 25305, 7 June 1935, Page 8

ASSAULT CHARGE

AFFRAY IN OFFICE YOUNG MAN BEFORE ’ COURT COMMITTED FOR TRIAL (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 6. As a sequel to an affray in a city office on May 17 John Leslie Spicer, aged 23, was charged to-day with assaulting two men and demanding money with menaces. Evidence was given by Alfred Richard Buchanan that Spicer, whom he had discharged from his employ, threatened to go to the police and tell them that Buchanan had received part of the money stolen by a bank clerk who is now in gaol. He (Buchanan) replied by inviting Spicer to go to the police. Witness explained that he had won £lOO from the bank clerk when gambling with him. When he learned that the clerk had been stealing from the bank he (Buchanan) went to the bank and offered to pay them the £lOO. Witness said when he invited Spicer to go to the police he became very enraged and assaulted him. The disorder in which he found the office was described by a member of the honorary staff of St. John Ambulance.

“I saw Buchanan lying in a corner of the room with the telephone around his neck,” he said. “He appeared to be in a semi-conscious condition and was bleeding profusely from a wound over his eye. Buchanan was asked what had been going on and he (Minted to accused and said ‘Get him arrested.’ There was blood over the telephone, the desk, floor and part of the wall. Two chairs were overturned and one was broken.”

Detective-Sergeant McHugh said that when questioned accused said, “My name is Jack Spicer. I cleaned them both up and I made a proper job of him,” pointing to Buchanan. Spicer denied having used anything more than his fists however.

Accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was fixed at £3OO.