ASSUALT CHARGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 254, 6 January 1941, Page 5

ASSUALT CHARGE

MAORI PLEADS GUILTY Arrested by Constable Rathie, a Maori, Whakatane Poihipi, aged MO, labourer of Te Rere Pa, appeared before Messrs J. D. Clark and G. Pipe, J.P's. at Opotiki and was char getl that on December 21st, he assaulted Henry Lingman. Accused guilty. Sergeant J. Albister. who prosecuted, stated that accused was a mar ried man with three children. At about 10.15 p.m. on Saturday he met Lingman and had some sort of a quarrel. Poihipi hit Lingman in the face. The latter told the police but said he did not wish them it a prosecute accused. Accused was warned. About two hours later Ling man. was attacked by Poihipi at a fiance at Te Rere Pa. Lingman was a man who was always concerned in lights and it was alleged that he told accused he was a coward. Poihipi used much more force than was necessary. The bench told the accused that it took a serious view of the unprovoked assualt. However in view of the fact that it was Christmas time and there was probably some liquor concerned in the trouble, it was not proposed to inflict a heavy penalty. Accused was convicted and fined £1.