EXCITING ENCOUNTER.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15954, 1 April 1924, Page 9

EXCITING ENCOUNTER.

POLICEMAN’S HARD FIGHT. REVOLVERS PRODUCED. An example In resolution and tenacity was shown by Constable Hibbens, who, after a fierce fight among a crowd of men on March 1, at Sydney, arrested George Coleman, aged 30. A shot was fired. Coleman was charged at. the Central Police Court with having used indecent language, assaulted Hibbens, maliciously damaged a revolver valued at 20s, the property of the New South Wales Government, and with having shot at Constable Hibbens with intent to prevent lawful apprehension. . The story told by Hibbens was that at 9.30 p.m. he saw 11 men in HargTave lane drinking beer and behaving boisterously. Witness said: “You chaps had better move on.” They did so, and he followed them to Francis street, where ho saw a man * lying drunk and asleep on the footpath. One of the men who had been in the lane said: “It’s 1 all right constable, we’ll take him home.” They started off, -but a man on a verandah called out, “You’d better lock him up for his own good; they’ll go through his pockets.” Constable Hibbens said he caught up to the men and told the drunk that he was going to take him to the station, but Coleman then rushed back and exclaimed, “You will not take him.” Witness replied, “No, I’ll take you instead.” Witness moved towards Coleman, but he drew a nickel revolver, and said, “I'll have a go at you, anywhere.” He pointed the weapon at witness, who then whipped out his own revolver and warned Coleman to lower his revolver and keep it lowered or ho would shoot. Witness then walked up to Coleman and they grappled. The other men closed around them, one of them snatching Coleman’s revolver. Coleman struck witness about the head and body, and a punch on the jaw dazed witness, who however, retaliated with his baton, striking Coleman on the side of the head. A Chase. Several of the other men struck witness, and he hit them with his baton. Coleman bolted down to Hargrave street. Witness followed, blowing his whistle. He caught up to Coleman in Francis' street, and struck him again with his -baton, and Coleman fell. Some of the other rpen pulled Coleman away, and he ran through the gateway of a house. Witness lashed out with his baton, and again chased Coleman. The man was cornered and turned on witness, who now had a revolver in his right hand. Witness tried to throw Coleman, but other men dashed in and attempted to take Coleman away. They held witness’ hands' and arms and punched him, while Coleman tried to get the revolver. He said: “If I get this, I’ll fix him.” Coleman wrenched the revolver away and witness grabbed him by the wrist. Coleman tried to point the weapon at witness, and it exploded, the bullet passing through witness’ legs. Someone then shouted: “Here is help,” and Constable Curvey came on the scene. The men ran away, and Coleman was handcuffed. He threw the revolver through the gate on to the footpath. Later at the hospital Coleman said to witness: “I’ve had my dose. You have to get yours yet!” On the charge of maliciously shooting, Coleman was committed for trial. He pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence. The other cases were adjourned till April 14.