ASSAULT ON CHINESE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 178, 30 July 1932, Page 8

ASSAULT ON CHINESE

TWO MEN FOUND GUILTY [ Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 2’9. Flat denials that they visited a Chinaman’s premises with the motive of robbery and allegations that, they had been induced to make written statements to Detective Hay hurst in which they allegedly admitted their guilt on the promise that the girl, would not be brought into the case, were made by Albert Ernest Clifton, aged 22, and Leonard Humphreys, aged 23, who were on trial in the ►Supreme Court before His Honocr M.. Justice Reed and a jury on a charge of assaulting and robbing Ah Lai at his premises in Pirie Street on July 23. They further alleged in the witness box that their purpose in going to the shop was to warn the Chinaman from associating with white girls. In cross-examination, the girl who had been referred to as Peggy Johnstone, and who gave her name as Margaret Johnstone, after first denying it, admitted that she had been living with Humphreys as man and wife. She was at Ah Lai’s placethat night. Summing up, His Honour criticised the defence and tho allegations made against the detective. The case assumed a serious aspect because of the very gross charge that had been made against Detective Hayhurst. Tho jury found accused guilty of assaulting Ah Lai, so as to cause actual bodily harm, and with assaulting Lai. The jury disagreed on the most serious charge, robbery with violence. ►Sentence was deferred.