CONSTABLE STRUCK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 February 1934, Page 8

CONSTABLE STRUCK.

Unemployed Engineer Fined. “ I don’t remember anything that happened,” said Francis Shirley Rush, when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning charged, among other things, with assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty. Police evidence, however, revealed that Rush, an engineer aged twentytwo, described as being from the Ashley relief camp, had hit the constable on the jaw after being removed from an hotel. He had caused the constable to bite his tongue. Rush was also. charged with being drunk in Moorhouse Avenue, and with being a disorderly person in that he refused to quit the licensed premises of Storey’s Hotel when requested to do so by a servant of the licensee. Accused, who pleaded guilty to all three charges, was fined £4 and costs, in default twentv-one days’ imprisonment for assaulting the constable, 10s and costs, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment, for drunkenness, and convicted and discharged on fhe charge of being a di«°rderly person. Rush asked tor two months in which to pay the fines, but the Magistrate refused any time. Sub-Inspector Edwards said that on Saturday afternoon at four o’clock accused was asked to leave the hotel, as he was becoming quarrelsome. He went outside and started to fight with a mate. Then he went back into the private bar, and again refused to leave. A constable who came along asked him *0 go out, and then had to put him out. Accused was then arrested, and struck the constable a violent blow bn the jaw, causing him to bite his tongue rather severelv “ This is accused’s first offence, and he is prettv sorry for himself this mornine.” said the Sub-Inspector. “ I don’t remember anvthing that happened,” said accused. “If I did hit him—and he wouldn’t say so if it wasn’t true—l’m sorry for it.” The Magistrate: You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Accused : I am, sir, very much so. “You know the consequences of hitting a police constable,” said Mr Mosley. *' We can’t have men like you getting drunk and knocking constables about.”