BRUTAL AND UNPROVOKED ASSAULT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2315, 13 August 1921, Page 3

BRUTAL AND UNPROVOKED

ASSAULT.

AT THE SEASIDE,

At the local police court this morning, before Messrs Alf. Fraser and M. Perreau, J’s.P., Jobe Alexander Healey and Ronald Healey were charged with an aggravated assault on Mrs Abigail Jane Hartley, and assault on Henry Hartley, and Steven Hartley, at the Beach last night. Accused, for whom Mr Bergin appeared, pleaded not guilty. Constable Owen, in outlining the case, said that last night Charles Dransfield, an old man of 80, heard something thrown on the roof of his whare. Dransfield went out, and saw two men, and spoke to them. One struck him. He then went to Mr Hartley’s house. Mr Hartley went out and inquired of some men standing about as to who had struck Dransfield. Hartley was then attacked by both accused. Mrs Hartley and son interfered, and were also stT'uefl. The police, in answer to a message about 11 o’clock, proceeded to the beach to interview the complainants, and subsequently arrested the two accused, who were at BoyleU house. Both were drunk, and one was asleep. There were two empty whisky bottles in the room. Charles Dransfield, whose face was badly bruised, in evidence stated that he was a resident' of the Beach. Last night he heard something thrown on his roof, and went out. He saw two men, and asked them what the game was, and to stop, us he didn’t want his roof leaking. One of them struck him in the eye, and knocked him down. He could not identify the men. He did not strike anything as he fell.

Henry Hartley stated that between nine and ten o’clock last night Mr Dransfield knocked at the door of his house. Dransfield asked for a light. Witness took him in, and found his face covered with blood. His wife washed Dransfield’s face, and tie and his son went outside. Outside the gate they met four men, the two accused, Boyle and Newbury, and he asked who had struck Dransfield, but got no reply. Ronald Ilealev asked to have a look at him, but witness replied that he would not allow Ifini in the house in the condition he was in. Accused then followed him up. Witness told them that if they did not go away he would fetch the police, -bib Healey asked if he was going to ring for the police. Witness replied that be wouhl if they didn’t go away. Accused then said: “Take that!" and struck witness, and as he (witness) was walking away Ron. Healey hit him. Mrs Hartley, hearing a noise, then came out, arid told them to go away. Ron. Healey caught hold of her hand and slapped her face. Boyle then interfered, and finally took both accused away. Witness saw his son in a scrimmage with Jobe Healey, and saw him get a crack. Witness did nothing to provoke the two accused. Witness was about 10 yards from the house when ho met the .defendants, and was able to recognise them. He was of the opinion that the three men wendrunk. He had known both accused for six or seven years,and was quite sure they were the men who had assaulted them. St&veri Charles Henry Hartley corroborated the previous witness’ statements. Jobe hit him in the ear, and on the side of the head, lie knew both accused and made no mistake as to their identify. Both accused hit his father. William Frederick Richardson, labourer, staying with Mr and Mrs Hartley, at the Beach, stated that he did not know the two accused personally. He went to bed early, and about 9.30 lie heard a knock at the door, and heard Charles Dransfield speak. Tie then got up and went outside, and saw two men talking to his uncle, Air Hartley. He heard Mr Hartley say that he would not allow them in the house while they were drunk. He saw the two accused follow him up, and saw one of them strike him. Witness I lien ran to the Post Office, and rang the

police. Mr-, Hartley corroborated the previous evidence, and slated that after she had bathed Mr Dransfield’.-: face she went outside to -ee what iho noise was about. She saw the two Healeys. Jobe Healey hit Hartley first, and then Ron Healey hit him. She told them to go away, and Ron. Healey said “You order me off the place"?” and then grabbed hold of her hand and hit her on the side of (he face. Bovle stopped him hitting her a second time. .Jobe Healey stated that he came lo town yesterday, and left.a little after six o’clock in the evening, with Mr and Mrs Boyle and his brother Ron. The' two defendants got out at their home, and had tea there, and then went to Boyle’s place, at. the Beach. They took a bottle of whisky, and Boyle had a bottle. The three of them, Boyle and two accused, were the only ones drinking. They had a bit of a “sing-song,” and then went out, lo get an aceordeon fit,m somewhere. He did not remember anything from then until he was arrested.

Ronald' Healey said that he had met his brother in town a little after dinner, and they had knocked round and had a drink or two. They went home a little after six, and then went down to Boyle’s for a “sing-song.” He did not remember anything after going foy the accordeon until Ire was wakened by the police. v Edward Charles Boyle said that the two Healeys came down for a bit of a “sing-song.” They must have drunk all the spirits last night, as there “wasn’t enough to quench his thirst” when he looked this morning.

After a while they went to get an aceordeon from Mr Newbury, athey didn’t have enough music. On their way there they met Charles Dransfield, who spoke to them. Ron. ITenley stayed behind, and Jobe and he went, in to get the aecordeWhen they came hark they saw a crowd in front’of Hartley's, evidently having an argument over something. He did not see Jobe, strike anyone. He started to play the aceordeon, and they (he and the two itemised) went home to hipiece. He did not remember stopping Ron. Ilealey from sliiking anvone. He would not say that the previous witnesses statements were incorrect.

Defendants were convicted and fined 50s on each of the four charges, and costs amounting to 50s each, in default 14 days’ imprisonment. They were given 14 days in which to pay the fine.