VIOLENT OUTBURST

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1928, Page 4

VIOLENT OUTBURST

SCENE AT I’pLlC'E COURT. William Aitken' (52) was full o) complaints when he was shown the way to tho clock at the Police Court. Auckland, last week. He was also garrulous and most abusive to tlic magistrate, police and reporters. When ho was charged with being disorderly while drunk in Princes Street yesterday he did not “plead” not guilty—he shouted it. Constable Need hath began to' give evidence when Aitken interrupted the proceedings by stating that he was deaf. “Very well,” said Dir McKean, “the Court orderly will repeat tlic constable’s evidence to you.” “That’s no good to me,” said Aitken. “I want to hear the evidence myself and I don’t' want to hear it second-hand either.” He shouted, stormed and wildly waved his arms about, making it impossible for the witness to he heard. Dir DlcKean; If you don’t keep quiet, I will deal with you in another manner. “Never mind dealing with me, I want to come up tnd stand near "he witness box to hear what’s being said.” 1 ‘£You will stay where you are,” said the magistrate. “Oh. will t,” said Aitken; “Dir Hunt always allows me to go up near the box.” * l Turning to the reporters, Aitken shouted: “And don’t you mention my name this time, you blackened it before, you mongrels aiid blackguards!” When accused had been quietened by the orderly. Constable Needham proceeded with his evidence. D esterdav. he said, accused came into the police station. He was drunk and very abusive and later had to be arrested for disorderly conduct in Princes-Street. .When it came to his turn to speak. Aitken said that he had been assaulted by a man and went to tho police, station to complain about it. “That’s the thanks I got for it.” he said “1 was not drunk, Tin under the doctor, and I can get four witnesses to say I was not drunk, too.” “Is the man normal?” asked Mr DtcKean. “I do not think so,” said Sub-Ir.-spector DlcCarthy. Aitken was remanded for one week for medical observation.