CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7609, 20 January 1903, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

Tuesday, Jaw. 20. (Before Mr R. Beetham, S.M.) Assaulting a Constable.— Albert Smith, for whom Mr Donnelly appeared, was charged with having assaulted a constable while in the execution of his duty. The police evidenoo was that the accused's wife had gone to Constable Gibson's place, which was closa by, and oomplained that he had been ill-using her. The constable went to the place, and remonstrated with the accused, who thereupon closed with him. A scuffle ensued, and the constable threw the accused from him into his own place. The police reported that there was also a charge of wife desertion against the accused, and that the wife was -till suffering from the effects of her injuries, and could not attend the Court. Mr Beetham ruled that the wife was not a compellable witness. Taking into consideration the fact that the accused had been in gaol since his arrest he thought he had bee% sufficiently punished. He would be convicted and discharged. Alleged Assault. — Matthew Russell was oharged by his wife, Christina Russell, with having assaulted her and caused her actual bodily harm. Evidence was givenrelating to the assault, which was of a very violent nature, and the police prosecutor explained that the accused had been arrested in a very shaky stpte, and had been remanded for seven days for medical treatment. Yesterday he had been fined for drunkenness. The Magistrate, referring to the brutal nature of the assault, sentenced the accused to two months' imprisonment with hard labour. Drunkenness. — For this offence two male first offenders were each fined 5s and costs, in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment. — Patrick Henley was fined 10s and co:<is. in default forty-eight- hours' imprisonment.