DRUNK AND DISORDERLY

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1927, Page 2

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY

SKYLARKING—NOT FIG HTING. Drunken and disorderly behaviour in Devon Street, New Plymouth, on Monday afternoon led tbethe arrest of Alexander Dent and a subsequent charge against him in the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr. J. R. Hill, J.P. In admitting drunkenness, accused stated that, had he not been in illhealth recently, the few drinks he did have would not have affeeted him. For several weeks he had been confined to hospital, living only on a milk diet, so that it was evident that the sudden change to stronger food was more than he could stand.

Sergeant Martin stated that he and Constable Small had found Dent in a slate of intoxication in the street. Accused was acting in a wild manner and Iris mate was advised to take him home. Becoming argumentative as lie was being helped in the direction of Egmont Street, accused assumed a fighting attitude and hit at his mate, knocking the latter’s hat off. When crossing the road the pair were seen by Constable Butler, who reported to Sergeant Alartin, with the result that Dent was soon after arrested. This proceeding he strongly resisted, and in order to get him to the police station he had to be handcuffed. The accused stated that he and his friend were from Tangarakau. He-con-sidered the sergeant had got the opinion that they were fighting, whereas they were only skylarking. In Tangarakau, where they skylarked with the men, nothing was thought of it. When called to the box, the friend described the incident as a kind of "brotherly love affair.” Air. Hill said he supposed they' had ne drink at Tangarakau to help in their skylarking. He was sorry to see two young fellows come to town and get -drunk and create a disturbance; lie did net wish to impose a heavy penalty and hoped they would take this ae a lesson. Dent was fined 30s.