AN HOTEL FRACAS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1788, 6 November 1919, Page 11

AN HOTEL FRACAS.

LICENSEE ASSAULTED. A PECULIAR AFFAIR. Presenting a much-contused and battered face, Robert John Paul, licensee of the Oxford Hotel, appeared as complainant in a peculiar assault case heard at the Magistrate's Court to-day. Those immediately concerned were Leonard Victor Bennett, charged with assaulting Paul last evening, and Richard George Assad Noon, the charge in his case being that of assault by holding Paul's hands behind his back whilst Bennett hit him. Bennett admitted the offence, and Noon pleaded not guilty. Both were smartly-dressed young men, of good address. ~ Paul's story, told in evidence; was that he found the accused and another man in the back premises' of the Oxford Hotel shortly before 6 p.m. One was using bad language, which was directed at the witness as he attempted to pass. The witness tried to get back into the Bar, but Bennett struck him in the face. "I tried to defend myself," he sai7s, "but Noon caught my hands behind my back and put his knee in the small of my back. Bennett then punched me on the face. J told the third man to run for the police, and he left to do this." The witness added that Noon then called out to Bennett, "Go like !" Bennett left and Noon also made off. Bennett ran into the ' Federal Hotel, and Noon jumped into a tram car. Witness followed Noon, who then jumped off. Eventually the two were "collected" by the police in the Empire Hotel. At this stage Noon said to the witness, ''l wish to say that your story is overdrawn. It wasn't an assault. It was a fight, which I tried to stop." Constable Thomas gave evidence that he arrested both the accused at the Empire Hotel, when Noon admitted that he held Paul.

"I own up I did tell my 'cobber' to clear out," said Noon in evidence. He continued that he came on the scene when Paul was at "grips" with Bennett. He got between the two in an endeavour to stop them. Sub-Inspector Mullany: Why didn't you hold your friend? He is much the younger man than Paul.—l could only hold one. It was a mix-up. He added he ran away because he did not- want his "cobber" to get into trouble. He belonged to Wellington, and was here on a holiday. Bennett gave evidence to the effect that both Paul and he were excited, and Noon endeavoured to stop the fight. The witness did not hit Paul while Noon was holding him. Sub-Inspector Mullany made application that sentence should be deterred. They were not very desirable men, and the police knew they came here for the races. The police wanted to get information as to their antecedents. The Magistrate (Mr V. G. Day, S.M.) replied that he could not consent to this course. It was an ordinary case ■ of assault, as an attempt at robbery was not alleged. Bennett would be fined £5, in default one month's imprisonment. He would give Noon the benefit of the doubt, and dismiss the charge against him.