STRUGGLE WITH POLICEMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 260, 1 November 1929, Page 5

STRUGGLE WITH POLICEMAN

HUTT MECHANIC FINED £lO COUNSEL RIDICULES CHARGE [ Per Prcsa Association ] WELLINGTON, Oct. 30. Appearing for a mechanic, Leonard Mangham, aged 36, who pleaded not guilty to resisting Detective Kane in the execution of his duty, Mr Sievwright suggested that the police story of one man resisting three burly constables was absurd. Detective Kano had given evidence that, with Detective Robinson and Constable Nalder, they went, to a house at Lower Hutt for the purpose of the execution of a warrant to arrest accused. On seeing them accused became very excited and told them to get out. When told they had a warrant, he said: “Warrant or no warrant you’re getting out,” and rushed at Kane, appearing to have a small pocket-knife in his hand. When caught by each arm by the other two, he resisted violently, and a small file dropped out of his hand. He was handcuffed and shown the warrant. Mr Sievwright gave another version of the story, and two women who live in the house gave evidence. The magistrate remarked that on two previous occasions Kane had visited the house to make inquiries into certain matters. This, it seemed, had made the mind of accused inflamed. He thought that when three officers went out to the house on this particular day they anticipated trouble. The fact that three went seemed to indicate that. The magistrate thought defendant met tho police with a certain amount of resentment and there was a struggle. He had come to the conclusion that the police told what was substantially an accurate story. Mangham was fined £lO, in default 21 days in goal, apd on the charge of stealing radio apparatus to the total value of £2O was remanded to appear at Otaki on Friday.