LYTTELTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5666, 10 September 1896, Page 3

LYTTELTON.

Thursday, Sept. 10. (Before Mr Gv Laurenson, J P., and Mr T. Dyer, J.P.) Drunkenness, &c. — David Partridge was charged with bein'g~drunk "and disorderly, with using obscene language and with resisting Constable M'Cormack. The evidence of the constable was to L the effect that on the previous evening accused had been most disorderly, and had used filthy language. Accused was a fireman on board the steamer Tekoa, which was expected to sail on Tuesday night. The Bench inflicted a fine of 10s, or in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment, and on the charge of using obscene language accused would be sent to gaol for five days. — A first offender for being drunk was fined ss. ; Assault on Women. — Gustave Le Goniellat and Daniel Sweeney, two sailors, were charged with assaulting some ladies kOn the Dampier's Bay Road. Le Gonfellat pleaded guilty, while Sweeney said he knew nothing of the matter. They were also charged with using obscene language. The evidence of the ladies was to the effect that between 8.30 and 9 p.m. on the previous day they were on their way home from a meeting. When near the Union Bank they noticed the two men, who appeared to be under the influence of drink. The men were going in the direction of the Bridle Path, and the ladies, whese homes lie in that direction, decided io proceed by a longer route, and went on round the Dampier Bay Road. They had not got far round the bay when the two men came running after them, and hustled them on thejpath. Accused used bad language. One of the complainants went to a house for protection, when Le Gonfellat followed her and" pushed her 'against the wall. He also raised his hand as if to strike her. Just at this stage assistance came. G. Brooks and J. Walker, belonging to the lonic, deposed that they were on the Bay Road on the previous night and were asked by the ladies to protect them from two men. They identified the accused as the men. They saw nothing of the assault. B. Rich deposed to passing about the time, and heard Le Gonfellat make , use of obscene language. Both men ran away when the ladies obtained protection. Fred Arnold deposed to meeting the two men running from the town. He afterwards met the ladies, and from what they told him he informed the police. D. M'Rae deposed that he met Le Gonfellat, who said the police were after him for chasing some women. Constable Fitzgerald deposed to arresting the prisoners. Le Gonfellat, a youth, said he had come ashore and got the worse for drink. He chased the women, but did not know why. Sweeney had nothing to say. The Bench said they would hold that the charge of using obscene language had not been proved, but the charge of assaulting the ladies had been amply proved, and such conduct would at all times meet with severe punishment. Le Gonfellat, who appeared to be the worst of the two, would be sent to gaol for two months, and Sweeney for one month. The Bench complimented the police upon the prompt manner in which they had arrested the accused, and also thanked Messrs Brooks, Walker and Arnold for the part they had taken in furthering the ends of justice. __________