STABBING AFFRAY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18903, 19 January 1927, Page 5

STABBING AFFRAY.

OUTSIDE DANCE HALL. [THE PKESS Special Service.) WELLINGTON, January IS. A stabbing affray outside a dance hall some weeks ago resulted in the appearance in the Magistrate's Court yesterday of Ernest Ditleve Pederson, a mechanic, aged '2-5, who was charged with having assaulted Stanley John Wells, trainer of the Filipino Boxer, Jamito. Pederson pleaded guilty-Chief-Detective "Ward explained that when the trouble occurred the accused was havino- an altercation with a friend, whom he was trying to persuade to go home. Wells, who was also with a friend, interfered and struck pederson. Pederson thereupon stabbed p \\ ells with a pocket knife, inflicting abound six inches long in his thigh. Thirteen stitches were necessary, and the injured man was in the hospital for ten Javs, expenses totalling £4 10s being incurred. Some days after the affray the accused was also admitted to the hospital suffering from injuries to his brain and spine, and not until now had he been able to appear in Court. All four men concerned in the affair had been drinking whisky. Counsel, in asking that the accused be lenientlv dealt with, said that Pederson was still suffering from the effects of Wells' blow, and it would probably be five or six months before he would be able to resume work. In these circumstances he had already been severely punished, and probably a term n* probation would meet the case. It had also to be borne in mind that had Wells not interfered, the assault would not have taken place. Mr J. H. Salmon: "The U6e of a knife is always a serious matter, but it appears that in this case the accused was assaulted first. T do not think, therefore, that I should make an order for the payment of Wells' expenses." Pederson was convicted and adniittc' to probation for twelve months, it being a condition that he must take out; a prohibition order against himself. ; '