MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2356, 12 January 1915, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

A CONSTABLE ASSAULTED

HIT WITH 'A BEER BOTTLE,

There wero some rather serious aspects ahout tho charges preferred against a man named Walter Wintered in the Magistrate's Court beforo Mr. D. G. A: Cooper, S.M.", yesterday. Whiterod was charged: (1) With obstructing Constable Sheahon in the execution ot his duty; (2) with assaulting the same constable. Ou accused's behalf Mr. H. P. O'Leary entered a plea of guilty.Inspector Hendrey explained that on Saturday a companion of accused had commenced to use obscene language. Constable Sheahon appeared oii i the sceno and arrested him. Accused interfered to such an extent that the arrested man escaped. Constable Sheahon, then turned his attention to Whiterod, and a somewhat fierce struggle ensued, during the course of which Whiterod took a bottle of beer from his pocket and struck the constable's head, break; ing the bottle in the blow. Very fortunately the bottle struck the constable on the side of the helmet, otherwise serious injury might have been inflicted. Mr. O'Leary replied that accused was sorry for his act and extremely pleased that no injury had been inflicted. Accused had been drunk and did not remember anything -oxcept that some trouble had happened. He had lived in <Wellington a number of years and was a first offender.- His mother, who was in a very poor state of health, had been very much affected by his arrest, and if he were sent to gaol, the offect mifht be severe on her. The Magistrate said accused was very fortunate that he was not beforo the Court on a more serious charge.- A fine 'of £1 or three'days' imprisonment would be imposed in respect to the first .charge and £10 or two monthß in respect to the second. Seven days were allowed in which to 'find the money. -

: A PLEA FOR LENIENCY. _ A powerfully-built man'named Michael O'Brien appeared on Temand chaTged with being idlo'and disorderly, in that he consorted with reputed-thieves. On his behalf Mr. H. F. O'Leary entered a plea of guilty, stating that O'Brien had como into his present position through drink. This was his first appearance in Court on such a serious charge, and for the sake of his wife and children counsel asked that accused he given another chance and be ordered to come up tor sentence when railed upon. Inspector Hendrey said it wis true that accused had not been convicted of anything serious -up to the present. "He has a nice little wife of his own, and- three bonny little'cbildren—enough to make a man work his hands to the bono to support them," remarked the Inspector. The Magistrate said he would give accused another chance, and convict and order him to come up for. sentence when called upon. A prohibition order was ,a!so taken out against tho accused. OTHER CASES. Adolph Danielsen, a Swede, was given an upportunity to reform, being ordered to come up 'for sentence when called upon, on a charge of being a rogue and a.vagabond He was discovered at night in a,, railway wagon at Lambton Station. Wm. Garner was further remanded to January 13 on a chaTge of being idle and disorderly in that he consorted with reputed thieves. The remand was granted so that Garner may have ..another opportunity of securing a solicitor. Amy Robertson, a, respectably-dressed woman, pleaded guilty to a charge of Using 6bscene language. She was convlcted_and ordered up..%_sentence when called -uporiT" V " ~ ;"-•' Philip Hosking was convicted aptf discharged for drunkenness, and fined £1 or three days' imprisonment for resisting Constable Wilson. James Walmsley and Henry Greenfield were each fined £l.with costs 7s. For committing breaches of their prohibition orders. The default'was fixed at three days' imprisonment in each oase. . Similarly charged, Harriet Maloney was fined 10s. with costs 75., in default 48 hours' gaol. /

Patrick Brady, an old offender against the laws of sobriety, was sent to gaol .for two months. Similarly charged. Mary Harding;was fined £2 or 14 days' imprisonment, and Wm. Simpson fined £1 or three days. Archibald Sloan, who took advantage of being released, on bail to get driink- a second time, had two charges preferred against him. On .the first he was ..convicted and discharged, and on the second fined 10s. or 48 hours' gaol. Six first offenders were dealt with.