STEWART DAWSON SHOOTING

Chronicle (Levin), 16 October 1946, Page 5

STEWART DAWSON SHOOTING

Received Tuesdav, 10.15 p.m. SYDXEY, Oct. 15. Giving evidence today in the case in whicli Uavid Btewavt Dawson, aged 24, is c'harged with maliciously wounding him, (leorge Rqnkin iiackay, who is on Ihe reserve of officers of the Royal Xavy, said that with others he attended a party at Stewart Bawson's residence at Palm Beach. They ]ilayed the radio and gramophone, talked and had drinks. At 11 p.m. when the radio played the National Anthem, I)avid Htewart Dawson turned it off and in a sneering voice said: "To Ilell with tlie King." Witness lost his teniper and pushcd defc-ndant from the radio. In the scuffle two g'lasses of liquor were spilt. He and a companion then left and went to a car but l'ollowing someIhing that was said, he returned to the porc.h. Btewart Dawson senior appear cd iirandishing an emptv gin bottle, and followed by his son. .Stewart Dawson senior addressed him ihsultingly, waving ihe bottle over his lioad and ordering him olT Ihe pro]ierty. Witness diri. not have a bottle at any time. He heard sliots and i'elt a sliock in tlie stomach. He did not see defendant with a pistol as he was looking at Stewart Dawson Senior at the time. He tried to get up but fell agaih and Stewart Dawson i Senior kicked him in the face and chin | and tried to kick liirn in the groin. j Witness' thigh was bruised for about a| fortnight afterwards. He spent a fortnight in hospital and had an operation but the bullet had not yet been removed. CrosS-examined by IMr. Shand, witness denied that he Avas uncontrollably drunk at the time of tlie incident. It would be blackmail if a person was asked to give a false account of sucli an occurrence with tlie idea of extorting monev from the other person concerned. ^•'Ee 'did not kuow. that 'a woman -.witlr Vhoin he atteiitled the party afterwafds tvfent tb defendant. On tlie night of the occurrence lie mentioned daniages up to £20,000 but did not say lie would twist the evidence if the monev was not paid. He denied tlie allegation that lie conspired with other people to extort monev. He went back to the porch to demand an apology.