BRAWLING TROOPERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2383, 12 February 1915, Page 7

BRAWLING TROOPERS

SATURDAY NIGHT AFFRAY

EXEMPLARY SENTENCES

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper. S.M., tho two troopers. who were prominent participators in Saturday night's brawl received severe sentences. John James Clayton was charged (1) with being disorderly while drunk, (2) resisting Constablo Willcocks, (3) damaging a hansom cab; and Robert Porteus Brown, charged (I)'with assaulting Constable Dovine, (2) using obscene language, (3) wilfully damaging a constable's uniform, (4) assaulting a civilian named Heaney. Inspector Hondrsy detailed the cause of the disturbance, and how serious it was. The Defence authorities: desired the Magistrate to deal with the matter. "There are about 4000 men at present at Trentham," continued the Inspector, "but. it must be understood that the oonduct of so tne of their number in town is not representative of these. The oonduct of most of'the men is excellent, and these wish to uphold the honour of the uniform they wear and of the country they serve. We cannot biit expect that a certain percentage of these men are blackguards." The Magistrate "It is a deplorable faot. that every day that one picks up the ' paper "there is some reference to a fresh, disturbance on the part of troopers. It is disgraceful." Then, turning to accused (Clayton), "You ought to feel thoroughly ashamed of yourself. Through this riot, of whioh you were the cause, there-may have been loss of life." On the first charge the Magistrate fined accused 405., in default seven days' imprisonment, on the second £s;' or one month, and on thQ charge of damaging the cab. fined accused £2 15s. or seven days' imprisonment. The 'sum of £2 Bs. was ordered to be refunded to the owner of the'cab.

THE CASE OF EX-TRQOPER BROWN.

.Brown was defended by Mr. H. E. O'Leary. The evidence in his'case was similar to the preceding one. BrowA had been more fractious, however, and had violently kicked a. civilian and; a constable, as a result of which the civilian was still incapacitated. The evidence further showed that Brown had shouted out "Come on, boys, I am a Bed Fed!"

Mr. O'Leary explained that accused had pleaded not guilty, as he was under : the influence of dirink at the time, and had not a clear recollection of the affair. Brown had only been dismissed from the Expeditionary Force the same day, and had been drinking with other troopers during the, evening. He had had . twelve pints of beer, had been drawn into the vortex of the crowd, and >vlien he had seen, his'comrades arrested he had rushed into help, and had got himself into trouble. Brown had received Quite as much as he had given, as he was all black and blue down one side after the trouble.

Inspector. Hendrey said that accused had made himself troublesome at Trentham, and this had led to his diEmis6al. Brown, had been before the Court on other charges prior to' the present ones. ' "J intend to deal with jou severely," said the-Magistrate to Brown. "I am going to teach you and such as you that it . won't pay to. create such disturbances as this one,-and to interfere with the police. The duties of the police are at all times onerous,and most times clis3Kreeal)lo. aad they must not be .interfered with,- In the first- charge lam not going to giv£> you the option Qf a fine. You will be sent to prison for two months, on'the charge of using tho bad language-you-will be'fined £3.0r.-a month's imprisonment, for- damaging the constable's uniform you will be hned 255. or three days' imprisonment, and on the other assault charge you will be fined-£5 or. one month's imprisonment. The sentences will be cumulative.'. 1 .

. ; .DISORDERLY CONDUCT. > Another Trooper named James Norton, whose, disorderly, conduct, on Wednesday afternoon was responsible for a lalrge crowd gathering, was charged with drunkenness ; and • resisting ; Constable Cetty. In commuting bn this oase, Inspector Hendrey. said that apparently the military authorities wished such future disturbers.to be'.dealt-vitb by ft Magistrate, and then handed over to them. "They wish that these men who make blackguards of themselves should be dealt with severely by a Magistrate in, the first said the Inspector. Norton was accordingly fined ss„ in default .twenty-four hours' im-, prisonmerit, for drunkenness, and 405., or soven dws' imprisonment,, for resisting the constable, and to bo handed to the military authorities. ■