MAN FINED £5 FOR ASSAULT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17862, 2 June 1926, Page 5

MAN FINED £5 FOR ASSAULT.

HUSBAND WARNED TO KEEP FROM HOUSE. For assaulting Frederick Wilson Bell on May 10, Percy Williams was fined £5, in default fourteen days’ imprisonment, in the Magistrate's Court this morning. Sub-Inspector Mathew said that Bell had come to the house of his wife, from whom he was separated, and had referred to Williams in very disparaging terms. Williams had gone out to the front gate with Bell, and had struck him three times. The clerk (to accused) : How do you plead? Did you assault him? Accused, who, Sub-Inspector Mathew said, was deaf, required the question repeated before he answered in the affirmative. The Magistrate: Have you anything to say?—No. The case was stood down for a while pending the appearance of Mrs Bell, who was under subpoena. Sub-Inspec tor Mathew added that a charge of trespass during the currency of a separation order was pending against Bell. Both charges were taken when the case was resumed. Isabella Bell said that she had a separation order against her husband about three years ago. There were seven children, six of whom were at home. On May 10 her husband had brought some fruit for the children, had knocked at the window, and “ called Williams for everything.” Iler husband was the worse for drink, as he had been also when he came again last Monday. He then took a small bottle from his pocket and said he would “ do for the lot of them." Witness picked up a copper stick and hit him 011 the arm, pushing him out- of the door, as he made to grab witness by the throat. The maintenance officer (Mr P. T. Jones) said that Williams was the cause of the whole trouble right from the start. The Magistrate (to accused) Why did you hit him? Accused: On the jaw (with a demonstrative action). Do you live in the house?—Oh, no. sir. I live with my mother and married brother. The eldest boy Bell and I are chums, and I have known the family for seven years. Witness admitted that Bell had said he (witness) was responsible for the separation, but witness denied this. One of the Bell children had told witness that Bell had used strong language against him. On the charge of trespass, Bell was convicted and discharged.