POLICE OBSTRUCTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 296, 17 December 1940, Page 9

POLICE OBSTRUCTED

LABOURER SENTENCED COURT ISSUES WARNING “Any person obstructing or assaulting a police constable may expect tc be severely punished, in this Court at any rate,” said Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M.. in the Magistrate's Court, Wanganui, yesterday, when Rupert Anthony, labourer, aged 36, admitted wilfully obstructing Constable A, D. Adlam In the execution of his duty. A sentence of 14 days’ imprisonment was imposed.

Evidence was given that accused obstructed Constable Adlam while the constable was arresting Norma:-. Blackler and Henry Logan for fighting in Ridgway Street last Saturday evening.

Blackler, who pleaded guilty to fighting with Logan in a public place, was fined £3, and Logan also charged with fighting, was fined £2. The magistrate said he took the view that Blackler was the aggressor. Senior-Sergeant F. Culloty, who prosecuted, told the Court that while Constable Adlam was arresting the two previous defendants at about 6.10 p.m., Anthony came up from behind, grabbed the constable by the neck and tried to pull him away. A Maori came to the constable's assistance. Anthony had been in trouble previously.

Asked if he had anything to say, Anthony said that when the constable intervened be (accused) thought that Logan might strike Constable Adlam. It was not with any criminal intention that accused grabbed the constable. He wanted to prevent Logan from committing a second offence. “I bear no animosity against the constable,” accused added. “I think he is a decent, chap."

Senior-Sergeant Culloty: Accused was under the influence of liquor and it looked ugly for the constable for a time.

"Your offence was much more serious than that of the other two men,” said the magistrate, who added that Anthony had been in trouble since 1921 for various offences, including drunkenness and using indecent language. "This sort of thing will not be tolerated, and I want you and your kind to realise that any offences of this nature will be met with imprisonment,” said the magistrate, sentencing accused.