A DUNEDIN SENSATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8778, 8 June 1907, Page 5

A DUNEDIN SENSATION.

Aggravated Assault

Accused Committed for Sentence

(By Telegravh—PrettH Association.) DUNEDIN, Last Night

Thomas McKay appeared at the Police Court, tins morning, to answer a charge of having assaulted Eliza Mary Hall and causing her actual bodily harm. Mr Graham was on tho Bench. Sub-Inspector Norwood prosecuted and Mr Scurr defended.

Dr Falconer (house surgeon at Dnnedin Hospital) said: I examined Eliza Mary 'Hii.ll at the Hospital on May 2ht\\. She was suffering from a wound caused by a bite.; about half an inch of tho tissue of the nose on the right side and point was missing. Those injuries will result in permanent disfigurement. The bite had taken the tissue cleau off and enlarged the nostril. A plastic operation will considerably minimise the present disfigurement, but there will be considerable disfigurement even then. MISS HALL'S EVIDENCE. Eliza Mary Hall said : I first met the accused some five or six mouths ago iv Christchurch. Ho afterwards askod me to marry*him, and we went to Melbourne together. I returned to Now Zealand, the accused returning with me. We arrived here last Saturday week. The Sub-Inspector: On arriving at Port Chalmers did you and accused have a quarrel?— Yes. What originated this quarrel?— Some letters, I think. Were you addressing postcards to other men for your sister?—l was. Did the accused get jealous?— Yes. He asked who the letters were to, and I told him to mind his own business. Did McKay go drinking that day?— Yes. What took place at Athol Place?—l spat in his face. Did he say anything?—He said my sister aud I should not whisper, and asked what it was about. What happened then? —I smacked his face. He spoke to me again and I scratched his face and kicked him. Then he caught hold of me as if he was going to kiss me, but he bit my nose. Mr Senrr: McKay left you for some time when you got to Port Chalmers? —Yes. In what condition was he when ho returned ?—Dru?i k. You went to Melbourne to get married to him?— Yes, but I changed my mind. I daresay this aggravated him a good deal?—l believe it did. Would you marry him if he was acquitted of this charge.—l may. He was always kind to you?— Yes. Frances Louisa Hall also gave evidence. The Sub-Inspector: Did you see the accused holding your sister?—l saw the accused apparently kissing her. I heard my sister call out, "My nose!" and I rail back to try and pull McKay away. She said, too, "My nose is bitten," and she screamd. I could not pull McKay away, and called to a man in front for help. He pulled McKay away. I then saw that the top of my sister's nose had been bitten off. Did the accused seem in a. bad temper?—He was drunk. Have you before heard him threaten to disfigure your sister?— Yes, on two occasions. Annie Lyons (aged thirteen years) gave evidence that she saw accused apparently kissing Miss Hall. She saw after that they were struggling and, going closer, saw that accused was biting Miss Hall's nose. A man pulled accused off, and he then ran into a, timber yard". William John Hall, father of the injured girl, stated that about 8.80 that evening accused came to his house smelling of drink. He was crying and excited. He said something about me taking off his nose, as ho had done to her. Constable Fox stated that between 8 and 1) p.m., on May 2f)th, he went to Hanover-street. He found the accused in the kitchen of Mr Hall's house. Ho was crying aud speaking to himself. He was using tho words, "My poor, dear darling," and was very excited, but lie was not then drunk, though lie had evidently been drinking. When the usual question was put, Mr Scurr pleaded guilty for accused, who was committed for sentence. Bail was fixed, self in £100 and two sureties of £50 each.