SENSATION IN DEVON STREET.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1923, Page 6

SENSATION IN DEVON STREET.

REVOLVER DRAWN ON CONSTABLE “I’LL FIX YOU!”

Patrolling Devon Street in the ordinary course of his duty on Wednesday night, Constable Butler noticed Anthony Kelly under the influence of liquor and gave him a gentle hint that his .presence in such a condition, in New Plymouth’s main thoroughfare, was undesirable. The constable walked on and then glanced round to see if Kelly had taken the hint. He had not, and Constable Butler found himself surveying the business end of a heavy 45 calibre revolver with Kelly behind giving vent to the remark: “I’ll fix you!” The moment was one for quick action and the constable swung Kelly round, seizing his wrist. Kelly then turned the revolver backwards on to the constable, who thereupon brought that phase of the struggle to a finish by throwing Kelly forward and taking the revolver from him. On the way to the police station steady forward progress was considerably hampered by the fact that Kelly had other ideas on the subject, and Constable Butler was compelled to invoke assistance to get his man to the cells.

Kelly appeared before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, and was called on to answer charges of having assaulted Constable Butler, resisting the constable in the execution of his duty, carrying a pistol without lawful excuse, having the pistol in his possession, and presenting it at the constable.

Senior-Sergeant McCrorie asked leave to withdraw the first charge and the accused pleaded guilty to the remainder. The facts, as above, were outlined, but it was added that, on examination at the police station, if was found that, the pistol was not loaded. Answering the Bench, Kelly said that the pistol was not loaded. Had it been loaded he would not have exhibited it. “Well, Kelly,” said Mr. Mowlem, “you seem to be just, the sort of man who should not have a revolver-. In any case, you have no business to present it at the constable or anybody else, whether it is loaded or unloaded.” 'On the charge of resisting, the accused was fined £2, in default 14 days’ imprisonment; for carrying the pistol, £lO or a month's hard labor; for having the revolver in his possession, convicted only; and for presenting the firearm, he was given a month in gaol without Hie option of a fine. An order was made for the confiscation of the revolver, which Kelly told the police he had bought from a fireman on the Carpentaria.