SEAMEN FIGHT AND CONSTABLE IS ASSAULTED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17999, 9 November 1926, Page 7

SEAMEN FIGHT AND CONSTABLE IS ASSAULTED.

BENCH TAKES SERIOUS VIEW OF DISTURBANCE. As the result of a fracas between a seaman and a constable at Lyttelton yesterday afternoon, in which Constable W. J. Irwin was assaulted, three seamen appeared before Messrs J. T. Norton, J.P.. and W. T. Lester, J.P.. at the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court this morning. The accused were Henry Lee, charged with drunkenness and fighting in Canterbury Street; Sydney Murphy, charged with drunkenness and obstructing Constable Irwin; Geqfrge Afrisd Bond, charged with wilfully assaulting a constable while in the execution of his duty, and obstructing the police. Sergeant M'Holm stated that the first accused was arrested yesterday afternoon for fighting and drunkenness. The constable who had arrested Lee was obstructed by two other men and Lee got away. Accused. Mid. in replying to the Bench, that there had been some trouble on his ship and a fight had ensued as the result. Lee was convicted on the charge of drunkenness and fined 10s on the second charge. Murphy pleaded not guilty. Constable Irwin said that at 3 : 30 pro. yesterday he arrested Lee for fighting. Murphy interfered and Lee got away. A man named Bond in the meantime, assaulted witness and Lee and Murphy got away. Later in the afternoon, both Lee and Murphy were arrested for drunkenness. On the- charge of drunkenness, Murphy was convicted and discharged. On the charge of obstructing he was fined £5, in default one month's imprisonment. Bond pleaded not guilty to the charge of assaulting the constable, but pleaded guilty to obstructing. Constable Irwin gave evidence that accused, who was a spectator at the fight between Lee and the other man, hit witness several blows on the body while witness was arresting Lee. Bond had also hit witness on the jaw and knocked him down. Bond got away and ran down the waterfront and on to the s.s. Erriba to dodge the police. He endeavoured to get ashore by climbing clown a stern line, but when nearing the wharf he slipped and fell into the harbour. On being hauled out of the water he was arrested by Constable Anderson. Sergeant M'Holm stressed the seriousness of the offence. He pointed out that had it not been for Bond the other men might have got off lightly. Bond had nothing to do with the other men. He was simply a spectator and he had deliberately assaulted the constable. The Bench decided to convict on both charges. In fixing a fine of £lO. in default three months’ imprisonment, the Bench stated that the police had to be protected and they considered the present case a very grave one.