ASSAULT CHARGE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 28, 27 October 1937, Page 4

ASSAULT CHARGE

Affray in Heretaunga Street MAN FINED £5 • A fine of £5 in default 14 days' imprjsonment was the penalty imposed by Messrs. J. Stickland gnd A. J, G. Runciman, J.P.'s, at the Hastings Police Court this morning on Walter Fraser Sherrjffs, aged 48 years, who was convicted of assanlting WUliam Stevenson in Heretaunga street late yesterday afternoon. fcseuior-bergeant Sivyer coliducted the prosecutiou and the defendant, who pleaded guilty, but under provqcation, * was not represented by counsel. The compiainant, who displayed a livid blue-black eye, said that, in cornpany with Mr H. Tong, he had oceasion to go to the Karamu road-Here-tavtnga street intersection and there they left their bicycjes, Upon their return one of the bicycles was missing. There were several men, inciuding tlie defendant at the corner, but wituess did uot notice the defendant until the latter struek luni. Witness denied that there was any provocation or that he accused the defendant of stealing the bicycle. Witness remonstrated with defendant over striking him but did not retali'ate. Witness and his companion went away but about half an hour later returned and witness said* something about "the same man being there." Ihe defendant again struck witness. Herbert A. Tong said that att no time did he hear Stevenson accuse anybody of stealing the bicycle, which was witness' s,

Senior-Sergeaut feivyer said that when tlie defendant was orought to the pplice 'station he was under the iuflnence of liquor. He admitted striking Stevenson and his excuse was that he had been accused of stealing a bicycle and tbat "the other man fiew at him/' ln evidence the defendant said that Stevenson was a complete stranger to him and came up and accused him of stealing a bicycle. "There were words, and then we came to holds and he got the worst qf it," said the defendant. "Later they eanie baek and the man fiew at me wjth 'the intentioii qf cleaning nie up," The Senior-Sergeant : Aren't you in thq habit of conimitting assault. wheo you have had a few drinks? Detendant : No. "But yqu have "in the pastP"—That was some years ago. Tlie Senior-SKrgq#nt informed tho Bencli that thq ^defendant was no stranger to tlie Court and had varitwiB convictiQns* for similai and more eeHqu» oifences throughont the country. "It looks as though since 1918 yott have been running around the country assaulting people,'1 said Mr, Stickjaud after viewing accused' s list qf pyeviou* convictiqns. The defendant; I haven't been in tfouble i'or years. Mr, Runciman : Your last convjction was at Auckland on August 10, 1935. The accused was given 24 hours to find the fine of £5.