ASSAULTING A REFEREE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2442, 17 June 1922, Page 3

ASSAULTING A REFEREE.

SHANNON FOOTBALL INCIDENT

PLAYERS FLvED £lO AND £5.

Tiie ease arising out ol the assault on E. H. Claridge, the referee in the football match, Levin Rovers v. Shan--110 Juniors at Shannon on Saturday, May 20, was heard at the Magistrate's Court in Levin yesterday. The attention that the matter has attracted naturally centred more than usual-in-terest in the case, and the Courthouse was crowded to hear the proceedings.

Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., was on the bench, Senior-Sergeant Fraser prosecuted for the police, Mr G. 1. Macgregor appeared for defendants, and Mr K. E. Adams watched the proceedings on behalf of the Horowhenua Rugby Union. THE CHARGES. The informations laid were as follows : Hugh McDonald with (1) Assaulting Edgar Hereford Claridge by striking him a blow on the face; and (2) using indecent language in a public place,' the Shannon football ground. The charges.against Lionel Buckman were: (1) Assaulting Edgar Hereford Claridge by striking him on the face: (2) indecent language; and (3) counselling the commission of an offence, to wit, he did counsel Hugh McDonald to assault E. H. Claridge. Charles Young was charged with assaulting E. H. Claridge by striking him on the face.

To the first charge (alleged assault) Hugh McDonald pleaded not guilty, and guilty to the use of indecent language.

Lionel Buckman pleaded guilty to assault.

Senior-Sergeant Fraser asked leave to withdraw the charge of indecent, language against Buckman, which was granted.

To the third charge, that of inciting to the commission of an offence, -Buckman pleaded not guilty. The other. defendant, Charles Young, entered a plea of nol guilty of assault.

It was decided that all the cases lie taken together. . ' Senior-Sergeant Fraser briefly outlined the charges.' A Levin team visited Shannon, and during the game bad language was used, and a Shannon player was ordered off. At that another Shannon player caller out to him to come hack and strike ihe referee, even if he had to do six months for it. The referee had his jaw broken on both sides, and had to lie treated in die Palmerston Hospital.THE REFEREE’S STORY.

Edgar Hereford Claridge, the referee in the match, said on May 20 he went to Shannon with the Rovers football team. He was coach to the team. On getting to Shannon they found the referee appointed had nol turned up, and after a conversation Buckman, the Shannon captain, approached witness and asked him to referee. As the game went on he had occasion to caution some of the Shannon players for bad language. lie ordered McDonald off the field for bad language. Witness heard someone say, "Don’t go off, go back and crack him.” McDonald came hack, but witness could • not say if McDonald was one of those who assaulted him. Several hit him, but he did not know who they Were. His jaw was broken in two places, two teeth knocked out, and his braces tom off. He was dazed by the assault. He eventually went on with the game. After the game McDonald came along and wanted to fight. Witness went on with his friends and left him. Witness had 10 be treated in the Palmerston Hospital for a. week. He did not know who it was that told McDonald to hit witness.

Cross-examined by Mr Macgregor. witness said lie was a member ol the lieterees' Association, and had refereed in several matches this season.

Mr Alacgregor: Did you have any money on the game.'—No, i did :tot. The Magistrate: 1 am not trying the reieree, Mr Alacgregor, but the charges oi assault and bad language. Mr Alacgregor: Did you caution any player in the spell ior bad language: —Yes, it was a Buckruan, but not the captain. Counsel: Alter you were assaulted did you speak, to any of the Union oliiCials? —No; but they may have been there/ Counsel: When you were hit did you have your whistle in your mouth ' —No, I always carry it on my wrist. Counsel: It is suggested you had n in your mouth, and it was the cause oi your teeth being" broken.—That is not so. “GIVE HIM SOMETHING."

Can rre culling, a member ci ilic Hovers learn, suia an argument, arose li’om Hie reieieeSSrWaiunig u nee against snannon. AicDonald men called the. reieree a foul name, anu the rkteree repneu, " mat s enougn; you get oil." Lionet Buckuiuii caneu McDonald back anu. saiu, "Give him something to go off lor, even il it costs you six months/’ The crowd gathered rounu tnen. l'nen someone on the, line called out, "Go on, give him something, hit him.” McDonald then struck Claridge in the lace. McDopald hopped back after) striking.. Lionel Buckman then struck the referee with his open hand. Young also shaped up to the referee, hut 'witness

dd not see him strke. The disturbance continued for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour. Later Claridge blew his whistle and the game was play.e dto a finish. Claridge’s mouth was bleeding. From what he saw witness thought McDonald struck the heaviest blow.

Counsel: Are you prepared to say that -McDonald was the first to bit the referee? —Yes.

How long was it between McDonald baing ordered off and the assault?— About three minutes. There had been a lot of trouble about the referee’s 'decisions right along? —The -right referee did not turn up, and Mr Claridge was asked to referie. • , His Worship: It does not matter who referees. If th* players do not icrept the decisions like sportsmen they should give up the game. Counsel: Did'you see the referee hit anyone?—No; but one of our own

players was hit by someone. RLAYEns uv ujiiAcr,. Cornelius Kelleher, another member ol the Rovers, gave corroborative evidence and staieu ue saw nom McDonald and Buckman strike Claridge. Cross-fexiaiiiiueld, witness saiu he was certain that McDonald -.truck ciai.uge. There was no play between the ume McDonald was ordered oil and Uie referee being ini. 'lhere was a lot of talk and argument. counsel: Did you see me reieree mt McDonald".—-vo, hut he put his arms around McDonald:

James Daly, who went with the Hovers to .Shannon on May 20, sauf as McDonald was goiiig off alter being told to do so by the referee, someone called out for him to come back and hit Uie referee. He did not know who it was who called out. McDonald came back and alter arguing with the referee struck him on the jaw. Witness only saw one blow struck. He saw Lionel Buckman and Young strike the reieree. The spectators swarmed on to the ground and crowded round the players. He saw Uie reieree struggling on the ground with a Shannon player. He did not know who Uie player was. When Uie reieree got up he .was bleeding at the mouth and his jaw was swollen.

To the police, witness said he was certain McDonald, Buckman and Young struck the referee.

Cross-examined: Witness said McDonald was the first to strike. “DON’T INTERFERE."

Victor Redtern, another ol the Rovers, gave supporting evidence as to McDonald striking the referee first and Bookman and Young did likewise alter that. "I went to stop the fight,” said witness, "and they muck me.” Witness was struck several times. He heard someone say: '‘Don’t interfere." He saw the reieree snuggling on the ground and when he goi up he was bleeding at the mouth. Mr Macgregor: After McDonald struck the referee, what happened?— The reieree ordered a man off. Counsel: What was the nexi?— There was- a dispute between Buckman and the referee.

Counsel: And Buckman hit him?—

Counsel: What was the start of Young and the referee having a "go”? —I don’t know; I saw them standing close together and the referee go down. WITNESSES OF THE ASSAULTS. Lawrence Williamson, ol the Hovers, gave corroborative evidence of the principal incidents. Witness saw McDonald come back after being ordered off and strike the referee. Buckman was the next to strike the referee, and Young ihen stepped in and struck Claridge and both fell to the ground. When Claridge got up his jaw was swollen, his mouth was bleedhg and his braces broken.

Cross-examined: He saw the three Shannon -men strike the referee. He was certain it was Young who fell to the ground with Hie referee.

Arthur Channings, the next witness, said he remembered McDonald being ordered off in the Rovers-Shannon match. . Someone called out to him to come hack and give the leferee something to remember. Senior-Sergeant Fraser: Who was it who called out.?—l can’t swear who it was. Senior-Sergeant- Fraser: But you have an idea?—Yes. Mr Macgregor: T object to the question. The witness says he cannot, swear. His Worship: Well, he ran answer. Witness: 1 think it was Monel Buckman who called out. Mr Macgregor said there seemed to be doubt as to the identity 01 the Shannon players concerned. His Worship: There is no doubt so tar.

Mr .Alacgregor said there might be before the case was concluded. He said McDonald was ordered off taid a dispute arose between Buckman ami llie reieree, and the reieree used an obscene term, and Young asked the referee “What about ordering yourself off?”

liis Worship asked why this evidence had not been called. THE DEFENCE.

Lionel Buckman, captain ui the Shannon team, stated that Mr Beeves, the reieree appointed, did not arrive, ami Mr Ciaiidge was asked lo otliciate. Before half time witness iold the referee he did not agree with some ol his rulings. In the second hail McDonald was ordered oft, and the game went on. The referee penalised witness ior oil-side play and called him a “dirty thing.?' Young asked Ciaiidge, "What about uidering yourself ■ off lor obscene language?” Claridge stepped 1 towards Young and struck him. The next Witness saw was the two men on die ground with Ciariuge un lop. Ciaridge got up and Hie game went on’ Witness asked if McDonald could come back, and the reieree said no. He denied calling out to McDonald to come back on die ground. The reieree asked who' was using Wd language, and witness said he diu not know.

Senior-Sergeant Fraser: \S itai happened arter McDonald, was ordered oil—did you go on?—Yes.

You heard what die other witnesses said; are they right or wrong?— Wrong. Who called out to McDonald to come back? —1 don’t know; it was not

Diu lie come back' —No; not till alter l smacked the reieree. You smacked die referee for using this language?—Yes.

And what caused die referee to hit Young?—For asking him to put himselt off.

ORDER YOURSELF OFF

Henry Charles Young, oi Shannon, gave evidence that he saw the re-, ieree speak to McDonald, and the latter go off. Witness did not think McDonald came back. Witness heard the referee use bad language to Buckman. Buckman hit the referee, and witness said to Claridge “Keferee, what about ordering yourself- off ior obscene language.” Claridge replied: "Close your trap or I’ll give you a smack.” Claridge walked towards witness and hit twice, blackening one eye and cutting the other. Witness felt himsell falling and he grabbed Claridge and they

fell together. He may have ha ciunuge in railing, ine game went on then.

CrosSrexanuned by Senior-Sergeant Eraser, witness said lie ran a boxing saloon, but bad never knocked a man out in ms life, ue aid not know what McDonald was ordered oh lor. The game went on while McDonald was going off, but stopped just alter.

Senior-Sergeant Fraser: Who struck the referee first?—Buckman. Did you get any bumps that davY— No.

Any black eyes?—No. Do you know who called -to McDonald to come back?—No. Where was McDonald?—l don’t know, "MISTAKEN IDENTITY.” Hugh McDonald gave eviueuce thai when ordered oil fie went over .0 the sideline. Auer being 011 a quarter ol ail hour he went back. He wen. back ol his own Jree will. No one called him back. He was on the line when the tight look place, tie um not- hit the referee. Tne trouble was over and Uie game started when he went back. You were ordered oil for bad language? —1 did not near any. Did you come back?—No, 1 went iu Uie Hue.

Do you know wliat happened uiiei your being ordered oil?—No. Du you expect Uie court to believe 1 hut? —Yes.

Then you don’t know any thing 01 the assaults 011 the reieree?—No.

What have you got to say to alt the witnesses who say you were Uie first to strike Uie referee?—lt is a case of mistaken identity. Have you ever heard the reieree use bad language?—No. A SPECTATOR’S VERSION. Arthur Brimstone, a spectator ul the Rovers-Shannon game, stated tie knew' McDonald was ordered oil. lie next saw Young and the reieree approach each other, and the referee Mi Young on the lace. The reieree missed Uie next blow, and Voting struck, him. They closed and iefi on the ground. Witness wem over as the men got up, and iliere was no more trouble, lie did nut see McDonald hit the referee. McDonald went hack after the assault and eonliimed to play. Questioned by the Senior-Sergeant, witness said he did not know why McDonald was ordered off. II would he about live minutes after McDonald lett that the assault took place. McDonald w'as wfitlh witness on Uie line when Young started 1o mix dungs with, the referee. Witness only saw Young lul the reieree once. John Holden, a member ul Ihe Shannon Juniors, said alter McDonald was ordered off, the referee called Burkinan a ,nui name lor dumping a mail, and Buckman hit Him. The reieree then hit Young lor calling him a name, and Young ietaliaied. Under cross-examinaiioii, wnue»s said there w'as live minmes' play between McDonald going off and the assault. The reieree u.--ed indecent language to both Buckman and Young. Senior-Sergeant: Dow is 11 Voting did not hear it? —I Uon'i knw.

Harold Hardy, a sp-claiur, gave evidence that alter McDonald went off the Scuffle started on Uie held. Witness was not within nearing distance then, but saw L. Burkinan lin the reieree with las open hand, ihe reieree struck at someone, but wnness did not see who he hit al. the reieree then came yul wiili luiing under his arm, trying u> give nun a hiding. He was holding Voting wiili one arm and hitting hull wiili ihe other. Witness was on Uie sid.-une when Uie--Teieree was struck. A WITNESS REBUKED.

Henry Robinson, a itieumui ui die Shannon team, said lie .-aw Buckman hit the reieree, and the reteiee hn Young. Senior-Sergeant Frasei: Whete was McDonald when the assault was going on?—On the line. Senior-Sergeant: How do you know. —I was watching turn. Senior-Sergeant: How do you kuow about ttie assault them.' —i was wanning both. His Worship: 1 don't believe a Word you say. it you say you were watching McDonald ail the lime, that minis the whole oi your evidence. REFEREE UECAnkED. Mr Claridge was recalled at tne instance ol hie Worship, and suul lie knew nothing oi Buckman uunipiny a man, nor diu lie call Buckman a certain name ior doing so. ne newt heard Young say: "Order yourseli oh lor obscene language." Witness was dazed, but was certain lie did not use bad language. He may have hit someone alter he was dazed, Dui lie dm not know.

To Senior-Sergeant Fraser, witness denied calling Buckman by a toni name. He had never used bad language on a lootbail field.

DEFENDANTS CONVICTED Ur ASSAULT.

fu giving judgment, nis worship •said whether the suggestion was matte to McDonald or not to come back ami strike the reieree, lie was McDonald came back and hit me reieree. The evidence given ny in.police witnesses appeared iui i.tuii probable than Rial given by the other side. All the witnesses spoke oi Buckman having struck the referee with his open hand. This was not iikeiy to be the blow that did the real damage, ami his Worship ditl not think it was. Nor did tie Blink it was Young's blow. He thought that it was McDonald who had so seriously injured the referee when lie struck .him. There was no doubt the reieree was iirsi assaulted by AlcDuiiald, and later by Buckman and Young. As far as Young was concerned, it was inconceivable that ite had received a black eye and liad the other cut before he struck at the referee. It seemed a pity that in a game oi football players could not lake the decisions oi the reieree in the right spirit, and if they had a grievance to appeal to the Union afterwards, instead of taking matters into their own hands and committing an assault. In McDonald’s case there had been an assault. It was a class ol offence that if a man had a previous conviction fie was liable to impri-

sonment. McDonald would he convicted and fined £lO, half the flue to go to Mr Claridge. On the charge of indecent language the defendant would be convicted and discharged. Buckman and Y’oung were both convicted of assault and fined £5 each, the charge of counselling an offence against Buckman being dismissed. The costs in each case were £1 1-tyL •with 7/ each Court expenses.