“THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2861, 21 March 1925, Page 3

“THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE.”

GRANDAD IN THE CASE. YOUNG MAN FINED FOR ASSAULT. Af Ihe local S.M. Court vesferday, before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., Richard Thomas Walton, a voung man, was charged with assaulting •in elderly man named Robert Rand. Mr Hollings appeared for plaintiff and Mr Jierg-in for defendant.

In outlining the ease for the plaintiff, counsel said the defendant first abused an old man and subsequent - V challenged him to fight, and finally shook him and struck him a blow on the muscle of the arm, which upset him. Plaintiff gave defendant. no provocation except to tell him that his attentions to his grand-daughter were not welcomed. The case in short, was an unprovoked assault on a. helpless old man.

Robert Rand, plaintiff, 73 years of age, stated that lie lived with his daughter. On a certain Sunday in the forenoon, defendant visited the house and plaintiff asked him whether he had not been told to keep away. Defendant then abused him and subsequently followed plaintiff and again abused him arid committed the assault complained of. His daughter tohl him to tell defendant that lie was not to call at the house. After he assault he informed the police and defendant accompanied him to the police station. To Mr Bergiu: Defendant still goes out with the young lady, with the mother’s consent. Did not use had language to defendant nor had he been put out of a billiard saloon for causing trouble. He had not been t lie cause of trouble in the family. Constable Owen stated in evidence, that plaintiff and defendant called on him on the Sunday morning in question. Plaintiff appeared to be upset and said he had been assaulted by defendant and struck on the arm. Defendant admitted that he had struck defendant and witness advised plaintiff to lay an information for assault.

By Mr Bergin: Plaintiff was excited and upset and related that there had been a heated argument. Plaintiff did not show witness his arm. He treated the matter as a brawl. The defendant said he had been keeping company with plaintiff’s granddaughter for about two years with the consent of the parents. Spoke to plaintiff about using bad language. When he called on the Sunday morning plaintiff ordered him off. Met plaintiff subsequently in front of the Town Hall but did m>t folloxv him. Asked Rand who told him he was to keep away from the house and some heated words followed and he caught Rand by the arm. He accompanied Rand to the police station. To Mr Hollings: Was asked to stay away from the house until this affair was over. Did not follow or punch Rand. The Magistrate said there was no doubt- an assault had been committed which was not justifiable and had language may have been used on both sides. In order to teach defendant a lesson he would he convicted and fined £5 and costs £2 Is.