EX-WARDER AND EX-PRISONER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 189, 30 April 1918, Page 7

EX-WARDER AND EX-PRISONER

. WAS IT A BLOW IN REVENGE? . James Thompson was charged in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., with assaulting Edward Harley on April 23. The defondant pleaded guilty under provocation. ~ The defendant, in giving evidence, said he was in the Hotel Cecil on the day in question having a drink when the complainant Harley entered tho bar. There were two or three others present, and the conversation turned on tho war. The witness remarked: "The Allies uro getting the best of it now, anyhow." Harley turned round, and said, "They inav bo now, but tho Germans will win.' With that, witness struck him. Harley repeated the. remark abotit the Germans winning- this war, and Thompson again struck him. He put up his hands, as though to fight, but thought betjer of it, and went away. Later, Harley returned with a policeman, and gave witness in charge. To Inspector Marsnck, Thompson admitted that he had been convicted under four different names. Ho denied that ho was known as "Teddy the" Burglar." He admitted being convicted of assault, and robbery, burglary, and other charges. Harley was a warder in the gaol when witness was a prisoner thcro,.but tho latter denied that the assault was in revenue for something that happened in gaol. The defendant then began to address the Court at some length, and eventually tho Magistrate remarked: "Are you goinfr on now like th'o brook, for ever?" Tho defendant replied, "Oh, no, I am finished now." Tho Magistrate said that next time tho defendant had similar provocation he should report the matter to the police, and not take the law into his own hands. Defendant was fined 405., in default fourteen days' imprisonment.