ATTACK ON CONSTABLE

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1926, Page 9

ATTACK ON CONSTABLE

KICKED UNTIL UNCONSCIOUS. ONLY TWO MEN IN CROWD HELP Only two men out ol between 150 and 200 persons went to the assistance of Constable George Fowler, when he was attacked in a brutal and cowardly manner by a number of members of a notorious “push” at Richmond, Melbourne, recently. The remainder of the people who witnessed the attack stood by and saw the constable kicked into unconsciousness. By the time help had arrived from the Richmond police station the offenders had escaped, but warrants have been issued for the arrest, of a number of men. Constable Fowler, who is aged 28 years, subsequently received treatment at the Melbourne Hospital for deep and extensive cuts in the head, a swollen jaw and other injuries. It is believed that the attack on Constable Fowler was an act of vengeance by the “crown" push—a gang of young larrikins which frequents the Richmond district —for the arrest of one of their number earlier in the day. Shortly after 8 p.m. Constable Fowler was’ on duty in Victoria Street, with Constable Litchfield. They were approaching the corner of Lennox Street when they saw running toward them a man who appeared to be trying to escape from a second man. The second man called out, “Grab him, constables.” The fugitive tried to dodgs past the constables but, throwing, out his left hand, Constable Fowler managed to grasp the man’s coat. Struggling furiously the man shouted, “Do not let them take me! Help!” In response to his cries several men appeared, and in a few seconds the constables were in the centre of a threatening mob. Constable Litchfield seized a man who was particularly abusive and was promptlystruck upon the jaw and compelled to release his hold. His prisoner ran away and Constable Litchfield pursued him. In the meantime a terrific struggle was taking place between Constable Fowler and his prisoner. While the constable was trying to handcuff the man he was struck from behind and he fell to the ground, although he maintained his grip upon his man. While the pair rolled over and over on the footpath between 150 and 200 persons asssmbled and watched the, fight. Even when six or seven men—those who had come in response to the prisoner’s calls for help—began to kick at the head and body of the constable, only- two men in the crowd tried to stop them. “I do not know who my helpers were,” said Constable Fowler later, .“but I am very grateful to them.”

The constable’s voluntary assistants, however, were eventually prevented by other persons in the crowd from interfering. and the cowardly kicking of the constable went on, with the result that he became unconscious. A passing motorist, having seen the crowd, reported the. matter at the police station and several constables were sent to the ’scene. When they arrived, however, the larrikins had dispersed. Constable Fowler was lying unconscious and bleeding on the footpath. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital. In addition to his other injuries Fowler's false teeth were smashed by one of the kicks he received.