ALLEGED BRUTAL ASSAULT.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 326, 29 January 1902, Page 2

ALLEGED BRUTAL ASSAULT.

TROOPER SAVAGELY ATTACKS A CHINAMAN.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. The Stipendiary Magistrate was e

gaged during the’afternoon and all the evening hearing a serious charge ol assault, brought against Private Leonard Jacobs, a member of the Eighth Contingent.

It appeared that on Saturday afternoon accused, in company with two other persons, in khaki, and a civilian, went to Planning street, where Jacobs had a scuffle with a Chinaman, who was removed to the hospital, suffering from a severe wound on the head and two broken ribs. It was alleged that accused laid thrown the man down, kneit on him, dragged him about by the pigtail, struck him on the face and generally treated him in a brutal manner. Evidence was given to this effect by persons who saw the assault.

For the defence, it was stated that while the party were in Hanning street actused beckoned to the Chinaman, whose immediate answer was some foui language, and a rush at Jacobs with a small axe. Jacobs, finding himself thus assailed, had closed with the Chinaman, and disarmed him. It was admitted that accused had been drinking before the assault, but not sufficiently to place him under the influence of liquor. At 11 p.m. the Magistrate remanded the accused on bail until Thursday. The late sitting was made in order to a,row several military witnesses to leave oy the troopship to-morrow,