TE RAPA INCIDENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 251, 20 September 1940, Page 3

TE RAPA INCIDENT

SEQUEL IN COURT,

Per Press Association

HAMILTON; Sept, 19. A sequel to the serving of a summons on a Te Rapa resident, when the bailiff was violently attacked by the resident’s sons, was heard in the Police Court at Hamilton, when charges of assault were preferred against Leonard Vincent Windsor Brown-, aged 19, and Robert Alexander; Wilson Brown, aged ■lB.

The bailiff, Michael McCormack, stated that, when he called to serve the summons Leonard Brown ordered him off the property and then he was knocked down and attacked by the two accused and an elder brother. After a scuffle, he freed himself and summoned the police, but ho received injuries, which necessitated his admission to hospital for nearly live weeks. Leonard Brown admitted the offence, but his younger brother denied having taken any part in the scuffle, a statement which was supported in evidence by the third brother. The Magistrate (Mr S. L. Paterson) declined to accept this version, stating that he considered the evidence blatant perjury. In fact, the third brother was fortunate not to be charged with assault. He viewed the case very seriously, and because of that, and also to impose a deterrent, the penalty on Leonard Brown would have to be severe. Sentence of Borstal detention not exceeding a year was imposed on Leonard Brown, while Robert Brown was ordered to come up for sentence within 12 months, if called upon, with a provision that lie would not l>e required to appear if he reported to the police weekly.