KICKED AND STRUCK

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1932, Page 8

KICKED AND STRUCK

. ASSAULT ON CONSTABLE, t ONE MAN IMPRISONED. AUCKLAND, March 15. One of the three men who assaulted Constable Watts at 11 p.m. on February 26, Frederick Nicholas Lindblom, aged 32, inn electrician, was sent to gaol by Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the- Polu:: Court to-day. Lindblom was charged with assaulting the constable while in t;he execution of his duty, committing mischief by wilfully damaging the constable’s tunic and trousers to the extent of 10s, and also with committing a grossly indecent act in Waterloo Quadrant.

Lindblom admitted the indecency s charge, but denied the others. '■ Constable Watts said he was patrol ling near the Supreme Court at 10.<35 p.m. on February 26 and arrested Lindblom for committing an indecent act on the footpath near Government Hov-e. When he went to arrest Lindblom, accused ran away, but was caught. “You hav-p might me fair, and I will have to plead guilty to-morow morning,’' was accused’s remark. Witness walked along Symonds -Street on his way t o the watchhouse with Lindblom, and when at the 'corner of Symonds Street and Alfred Street two men approached him from behind, and struck him, causing him to fall to the ground. Lindblom also -struck him in the face,- and then ran away with the two men along >lff. red '-"Street. After being knocked down, Constable- Watts said he was kicked oh the left knee, and as a result -he was: unable to pursue the .three men. His fingers were also injure-d. He lost his helmet and torch, but these were later found oy a passing motorist and returned : to him. On March 4 . witness attended a parade of nine, men and from thi s number identified Lindblom ns oiu of the men- who had -struck him. Counsel for Accused: Are you sure it wafi pot the other two men who assaulted you, and not Lindblom ?—Yes. he also hit me on the face. ALIBI ADVANCED. Detective Snedden described Linclblom’s arrest on March 4. He went to a house in Waverley -Street and at first got no response when he knocked. He" saw -Lindblom look through a window and then disappear. After continued knocking, the door was opened by a girl named IR-üby -Spencer, who told witness that Lindblom -was -not there, but was at his -mother’s house.\ When witness asked -if Ire might enter the house, Miss -Spencer told him that he could not do ; so -unless lie had a warrant. A few minutes later he arrested accused, who i said that on the night of Febru—y 26 ; he- was playing cards at a house in Ran- i dolph -Street, Newton, until midnight. -He, denied being in Waterloo Quadrant at KJ.45 p.m. " aHd produced a diary in support of the alibi. Lindblom denied tile J assault and indeceiwt charges. Witness produced the -diary. -•‘lt -is of no use at -all, as he has an entry to the effect that he was playing ‘ cards in Newton on the night the eonstaole was assaulted and now he conies here to-day and admits being arrested ( for indecency,'*- said the Magistrate. A constable was called who said that 1 he overheard a conversation between , accused and his mother. Mrs Lindblom ( asked Lindblom wherl" the other two • men were. Accused told her that they £ were at home. t

1 ACCUSED’S EVIDENCE. Lindbiom gave evidence. He said he was alone when arrested, and when walking up Symonds Street two men walked up behind and struck the .constable. “The constable let go my hand and off I went. I never struck him,” added accused. Detective Sergeant Kelly: Why did you say you would go no further when you ‘ stopped at the corner of Symonds and Alfred Streets?—l did not toll the constable that. Mr Hunt; Who were the other two men ?—I don’t know them. Detective Sergeant Kelly : Where had you come from when the constable caught you in Waterloo Quadrant? — ’From Parnell. I had been playing bil liards at a friend’s house. But you said previously you were playing cards in Newton until midnight? —Yes, I know, Is -that a lie?—Yes. The magistrate he would convict jDmdblom on all charges, and DetectiveSergeant Kelly then produced Lindblom's list of previous convictions. ••Your list shows that you have many convictions, including assault, resisting and obstructing the police, ami uniawhil conversion of a motor car,’’ the magistrate told Lindblorn, and sentenced him to six months’ iinpr'sonmeiit.