SEAMAN BEFORE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 23686, 20 September 1940, Page 9

SEAMAN BEFORE COURT

ALLEGATIONS REGARDING TREATMENT STRUGGLE WITH POLICE When Luka John Lonergan, a young seaman,, appeared in the Police Court to-day with .his head heavily bandaged and charges were preferred against him of assaulting Sergeant King and of resisting him while in the execution of Ins duty, Mr C. J. L. White, who appeared on his behalf, said that serious allegations were made by the accused regardin'' the treatment he had received, and counsel suggested that the matter should be investigated. The evidence of the police sergeant, which alleged that a violent struggle had taken place, was heard, and the magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle) remanded the accused until next hriday. Mr White said that the accused had been covered in blood, and said his nose was broken. Counsel said that Ins own personal opinion was that the matter should, be investigated. The accused made serious allegations regarding the treatment he had received. He was a seaman. Counsel said it seemed to him to be a case where the accused should be thoroughly examined by a doctor. He had already been examined by one doctor, but counsel did not know who ll© W«IS* The magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle) said he would take the police evidence. Sergeant P. Johnson, who prosecuted. said that at about 5.45 last night the accused was in the Law Courts Hotel in a rather drunken condition. Ho was refused liquor by the barman, and the licensee was endeavouring to put him out of the hotel. Sergeant King was called. He was in plain clothes, and was badly assaulted by the accused. It was an unprovoked assault, and the sergeant had to have medical attention. His lip was badly cut and required stitching. His teeth were also broken. The defendant, who ran down the street, was overtaken by the sergeant and a violent struggle took place. The accused was a seaman who had just arrived in search of work. Sergeant D. King said that he was in plain clothes when he was called, but told the accused who he was. With the assistance of the licensee witness then put the accused out on to Stuart street. The accused was not drunk, but showed signs of having had a fair amount of liquor. As witness turned away he heard a cry of “ Look out,” and just as he turned his head the accused came up from behind and struck him rather a heavy punch with his closed fist, severely gashing his lip and breaking witness’s dental plate. When witness tackled the accused along Cumberland street after the latter had run away, unfortunately for the accused his bead struck the side of a bowser. This did not knock him out, but he continued to struggle violently, and witness had to use force to restrain him. At this stage witness noticed that the accused was bleeding profusely from a cut oyer the right eye and his nose was bleeding also. A taxi was called and witness took him to the Police Station.

The Magistrate remanded the accused until next Friday on the charge of assault, the other charge being adjourned. The accused was granted bail in his own recognisance of £SO, conditional ivvi his reporting twice daily to the police.