IMPUDENT ASSAULT
PROVOKP) A-FIGHT
TWO MEN SEVEfiEtY FINED 5
(Special tp the "Evenih'o Post.")
-PALMERSTON~N.,~ This -Day.
A New Year incident, that exceeded a prank! was responsible for two men, Donald Ernest Lamberton and Bernard John Matson, appearing at the Feilding Magistrate's Court on. charges of assault: . '.. , " ' '
Sergeant Turner stated that on New' dear's Eve a young man named Albert S. Prendergsf t came to town with his young lady 1« see the New Year in, and they sat on the running board of a car, and were accosted by Matson and Lamberton, the former taking up a position beside the young lady. He attempted to kiss her, but was repulsed by the action of Prendergast, who pushed:him away while the young lady escaped. Matson then proceeded to "shape.up" to Prendergast, who, in. self defence, struck out. knocking Matson to the ground. Matson recovered and struck out at Prendergast again and then Lamberton joined in and a general tussle ensued. This terminated when Prendergast threatened to call the police. • The accused ehen took to their heels, while Prendergast went to the police station to repoit the assault. "The Court cannot possibly, by any stretch of imagination, approve of Matson's conduct of going up to where a young man was sitting quite inoffensively; with his young lady and molesting her as well as acting in the manner related to. the young man," said the Magistrate, Mr. R. M. Watson. "This sort of-thing has to be stopped. As regai ds Lamberton, I am seriously thinking whether I will give him a terni of imprisonment, .as this is the second time he has appeared on a charge of assault within six months. However, in view of the fact that he was not the instigator in this case and only came into the affray to* support Matson, and also in view of the fact that it was New Year's Eve, I will not send him to prison, but will fine him severely."
Lamberton, for assaulting Prendergast, was fined £8, arid Matson, for assaulting the girl, £5.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19380126.2.33
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 21, 26 January 1938, Page 7
Word Count
342IMPUDENT ASSAULT Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 21, 26 January 1938, Page 7
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