ATTACK ON BAILIFF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24408, 20 September 1940, Page 4

ATTACK ON BAILIFF.

HOSPITAL TREATMENT FOR INJURIES ASSAILANTS SENTENCED (Per United Press Association) HAMILTON, Sept. 19.. A sequel to the serving of a summons on a Te Rapa resident, when a bailiff was violently attacked by the resident’s sons, was heard in the Police Court at Hamilton to-day, when charges of assault were preferred against Leonard Vincent Windsor Brown, aged 19, and Robert Alexander Wilson Brown, aged 18. The bailiff, Michael McCormack, stated that when he called to serve a summons Leonard Brown ordered him off the property, and then he wa? knocked down and attacked by the" two accused and an elder brother. After a scuffle he freed himself and summoned the police. He received injuries which necessitated his remaining in hospital for nearly five weeks,:. Leonard Brown admitted the offence, but his younger brother denied having taken anv part in the scuffle, a statement which was supported in evidence by a third brother. The magistrate (Mr J. I. Paterson) declined to accept this version of. the assault, stating that he considered the evidence blatant perjury. In fact, the third brother was fortunate in that he was not charged with assault. The magistrate said he viewed the case very seriously, and. because of that; and also because of the need for a deterrent, the penalty on Leonard Brown would have to be severe. A 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 on, with the provision that he. would not be required to appear if he reported to the police weekly.