THREE CHARGES OF ASSAULT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 79, 20 April 1937, Page 5

THREE CHARGES OF ASSAULT

Man Allegedly Struck With Broom EVIDENCE AT HOSPITAL That the accused attacked him with a broom while he was trying to stop a brawl and caused his severe head injuries, was the evidence given this morning by Robert Spears, a Napier labourer, at a court liearing against Samuel Smith, labourer, aged 42. He was prosecuted by Deteetive-Sergeant H. Nuttall on three charges of assault and causing grievious bodily harm. Further evidence is to be heard next Monday week.

The witness Spears, oeing a pameni at the Napier Hospital as a result of his injuries, was unable to attend the Court, for which reason the Magistrate, Mr J. Miller, representatives of the Poliee and Press and accused 4s counsel, Mr S. H. Morrison, all attended the hospital. "On March 22 last I met Smith at Clive Square and went with him to the house of Mr and, Mrs Cording, in Carlyle street,44 said Spears in evidence. 4 4 There was a gallon jar containing some beer — not very much — in the kitchen, where we drank a little. "A row started, but I don4t know how. Smith was using a broom and he hit Mr and Mrs Cording with it. I tell you, he was using it pretty roughly. I4ve never seen any thing like it. 44I went to stop him and I got the broom on the head. It made a deep cut and I don't remember what happened after I got the smack. I didn4t say anything to him to give him canse to hit me.44 Detective-Seageant Nuttall: What conversation started this row? Spears: I couldn4t say. Deteetive-Sergeant Nuttall: You are deal, aren4t you? — "Yes. More so since I got hit.44 ■Did you see any blood on Mr or Mrs Cording? — "I couldn4t say that I did, but there . was plenty on me. I was covered with blood. I4ve been in hospital ever since.'4 Mr Morrison: Can4t you remember anything that was said to start this row? Spears: No. Mr Morrison: You say that Smith just got up and started to throw this broom about? — 4 4 That 4s all. I _don4t know what started it at all.44 The Magistrate adjourned the hearing until Monday week. Smith was charged firstly, with causing grievous bodily harm with intent upon Robert Spears; secondly, with assaulting and causing bodily harm to Charies Cording; and thirdly, with assaulting Isabella Cording.