PUNCHED AND KICKED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20761, 23 June 1937, Page 6

PUNCHED AND KICKED

BRAWL AT PICTON By Telegraph—Press Association BLENHEIM, June 22. The story of a sensational fight between three men on the street opposite the Picton War Memorial on the afternoon of Sunday, June 6, and which resulted in one of them being admitted to the Picton Hospital with extensile injuries, was unfolded before Messrs G. M. Blizzard and J. L. Jones, J’s.P. at Picton Court and hospital to-day. Henry William Smith and Leslie Wilson both employees of Oxley’s Hotel, were charged with assaulting Charles Herbert Brogden so as' to cause actual bodily harm. Brogden’s evidence was taken at the hospital where he is recovering from a broken leg, rib and a fractured nose, which were the chief injuries he received in the struggle, in which it is alleged kicking was resorted to by the combatants. Both the accused pleaded not guilty and were committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Blenheim.

Brogden’s evidence showed that he was working at the Terminus Hotel while his wife, from whom he was separated, was employed at Oxleys. He made advances to re-establish amicable relations, but discovered that she was friendly with Wilson. As a result of the meeting with his wife they quarrelled and he struck her. Later, he alleged, the two accused arrived and a fight ensued. He was knocked down and kicked even after he told his attackers that his leg was broken. The police produced a statement in which the accused admitted fighting, but denied kicking Brogden. The reason why they interfered was that they had been told he had knocked his wife down.

The accused were allowed nominal ball