A DETECTIVE ASSAULTED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1038, 2 September 1911, Page 2

A DETECTIVE ASSAULTED.

SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE BRIGADE CONVICTED.

Gisbornk, Sept. 1

A case which excited a considerable amount of attention was heard to-day in the Magistrate’s Court, when John Thomson, Deputy-Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, was charged with having assaulted Detective Mitchell during the progress of a fire at Kaiti (a suburb), on the 28th ult.

The facts as stated by the police were that Mitchell was standing near by and that the defendant asked him to keep clear of the hose, subsequently pushing him off the footpath and striking him a severe blow in the face.

For the defence it was pleaded that Thomson did not know Mitchell. It was admitted that the defendant pushed Mitchell off the footpath, and that seeing Mitchell advance in a threatening attitude, Thomson got in the first blow, still unaware of Mitchell’s identity. A good deal of evidence was taken including one witness, who said he saw Mitchell shape up to defendant after the latter had pushed him off the footpath. Another witness stated that Thomson was informed of Mitchell’s identity, but said he “Did not care he would have to keep back.” Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., held that the assault was proved, but said the case was not one calling for a heavy penalty, and he therefore imposed a fine of 10s. His Worship suggested that Thomson on being made aware of Mitchell’s identity, might have apologised and expressed regret that the incident had gone so far as to be brought into Court.