ASSAULT CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1932, Page 6

ASSAULT CASE

KOW OVER A YOUNG WOMAN. COMPLAINANT “DESERVED WHAT HE GOT.” (Per Press Association — Copyright j AUCKLAND, October 25 | “I think the complainant deserved 1 what !iic got, but .still the accused had no right to take the law into his own hands,” said'. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M,, in the Police Court, when, an unusual a/ssault care was heard. The accused, a young man, was convicted and (ordered to pay costs and witnesses’ I expenses. The accused, whose name the Magistrate ordered should be suppressed, at first pleaded riot guilty, but" his couth* sel, 'Mr N'drthcroft, later arriended the, plea to one of guilty. ' / .. Complainant said 'lie was in a cafe in r ■Victoria 'Street on Thursday eveiiing when accused called and inquired for/ h : m. Roth walked to Albert Park to a, friendly chat, as witness {' thought. Accused said, “Are you going to marry Pat?’’ Witness replied that he was. 'Accused said, “Oh,' no, youTe J not.” Later accured .struck him on the ; back of the head and knocked him down, and than 'held his head 'between, his legs arid punched his.face; knocking most of his 'teeth out. ' Witness went across to the police station, ard accused ran away, but was later arrested. Witness said he ghv e accused n 0 provocation. , QUESTION OF A THREAT.

jCro'is-esamined by Mr Novthcroit, complainant admitted that he met '» young woman in "Queen Street on .Vhuisdw afternoon arid walked with her. bolding her arm. He did that merrily 'to guide her. The coriversaUon between them was strained.

Mr Northcroft: You' followed her into" a tn'x’i when she fold the 'driverto take her home, and you told thV driver to tak e " her to the police station, wh'She you 'threatened- to charge her "with'' theft'?—No. I 'toM her she had done something which amounted to theft. Tile girl was upset and agitated?— Yes. ' : Sh e sent a message for the 'accused t 0 comer—T don't know about that. / MV Northcroft said the ybung woman 1 W'°,s a friend of the accused and Ahe had fent a message 'to him 'that she was in distress and reqtfired ansistarice to escape cbmplalriairit’s attentions. AccUtod was naturally excited and agi---f'ted. A fight started in Albert Park, 'and complainant 'ran away to the nolice. ‘“This was simply the act of a decent young man in going to this young womanis assistancesaid counsel;' “Her story 'has been conflfiried' 'by complainant' himself. Accused is Up thoroughly respectable man who ha< h’ust received promotion in his ’pSrticu-’ '.lar Occupation.” 1