WELL THRASHED

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1932, Page 6

WELL THRASHED

A ItEIL HIDING

ASSAULT CHARGE FOLLOWS.

CH RISTITURCH, September 9.

“A pretty thorough job” was how a, doctor‘described the thrashing that Robert ’ Fairlie' Bennett administered to Clarence Henry Jackson on August 13. If was stated that Jackson had interfered in Bennett’s domestic affairs, and as a result was assaulted so as fo. be almost unrecognisable. Bennett .pleaded guilty before Mr E. D.. Mosley, S.M., when charged with assault' and was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within six months, •’ ’ ■ . ~ '

Sub-Inspector Edwards said tliat defendant went to complainant’s house apd found Jackson imbed. It was stated that Bennett had a stick eighteen inches long, with which ; he struck Jackson on the face, legs and head, and then pulled him out of bed and kicked him. Defendant admitted giving v Jackson a good thrashing which complainant may have deserved fait -the -matter no doubt h'ad gone too far. Defendant’s story was that he had used his fists ter hit Jackson about the face and had used the clothes brush, on his" legs. Jackson; was later found in a semi-conscious cCndition with his face battered and bruised beyond recognition, and covered in blood. Jackson, no doubt, merited sionib pimisfafient, for, while defendant had been away Jackson had interfered in his domestic matters, after having previously been warned •to keep' away from Mrs Bennett. He., disregarded the warning, but, even iff he had deserved something, Bennett had' gone too far. ' “ Dr 'J. Pi Whetter said that on August' 13' he' iVas called to Jackson’s house, and found him in bed with his ’faose bleeding, a cauliflower ear on his ‘right side, tWo black eyes, bruises' on forehead land chest', and scratches on the legs and body. Jackson was almost unrecognisable, ’and Witness did not think any member of his family would'have' recognised' his as lie was lying iri bed. In answer to accused, the doctor •said that he could not say whether fists or stick had been used. Whatever ■it"was it had made it pretty thorough job of Jackson. It Was quite possible that the damage could have been done with fists.

‘ Bennett, in the box, sard that he had not used a stick, but his fists, for which lie considered lie had had ample cause. _ Mr ‘Mosley; I can imagine you liac( cause, but you wen£~too far. I can well ijriagihe a man wanting a' good thrashing, but you have got to stop short at that. Are you likely to interfere with him again f ’ Accused: I don’t think he is likely to interfere in my domestic matters a^ain. After being informed by the suUinspector that Bennett had never -been before the Court before on an assault charge, Mr Mosley convicted him and ordered him to come up for sentence within six months if called upon. Defendant was also ordered to pay costs within one month. . , ...