AN ASSAULT CASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 491, 7 October 1909, Page 2

AN ASSAULT CASE.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Charles Thomas Easton was charged on the information of J. W. de Bidder with unlawfully assaulting him. Mr Moore appeared for complainant and Mr Cooper for defendant, who pleaded not guilty.

The facts of the case were that the complainant had given information to the Inspector of Awards for which defendant had pushed him out of the shop and dared him to return. Later on in the same afternoon complainant returned to the shop and it was then he alleged that the main assault took place. Constable Woods gave evidence similar to that given in the case against the same defendant of obstructing the Inspector in the execution of his duties. Complainant came to him again at about five o’clock the same evening and had the appearance of having been assaulted. His clothes were soiled, his hat kicked in and he appeared to have a black eye. J. W. F. de Bidder, the complainant, said that on the day in question he returned to Easton’s shop shortly before five o’clock. Saw the defendant and his brother Sid in the sausage room. Called out to Sid that he wanted to see him. Defendant rushed out, buffetted him about the head, gave him a black eye and knocked him down. At this stage Sid came out and stopped his brother. Some days later the'defendant came to witness’ house and offered him xos to square matters. For the defence Mr Cooper called the defendant Charles Thomas Easton, who admitted pushing complainant out of the shop at the time the Inspector was present, but denied having assaulted him later in the day. When de Bidder returned to the shop at 5 o’clock he (witness) and Ashmore were in the sausage room and his brother Sid was in the stable some few yards distant. Did not assault de Bidder but just pushed him away from the machine and told him to clear out. Witness denied having subsequently visited de Bidder’s house and offering him xos. Cross-examined by Mr Moore witness said that he had gone to de Bidder’s house to see him in reference to a letter he (de Bidder) had written to witness’ father. Denied having said that he had given de Bidder a clip under the ear. Swore that it did not say. de Bidder had thrown a stone af him. William Ashmore said that he saw complainant in the yard at the back of the shop on the day in question. Witness was in the sausage room and defendant was in the engine room. Did not see defendant touch deßidder, nor did he see Sid Easton. To Mr Moore: Heard defendant say “you’d better get off the place.”

Sidney Easton said he was in the stables at the time in question and did not see complainant at all. Did not hear deßidder call out to him.

The Magistrate said he was satisfied that an assault had been committed and defendant would be convicted and fined 40s, with costs £1 7s. He made an order that 10s of the fine should go to the informant.