ASSAULTING A REFEREE.

Shannon News, 16 June 1922, Page 3

ASSAULTING A REFEREE.

SHANNON FOOTBALL INCIDENT

PLAYERS FINED £lO AND £5

The case arising out of the assault on E. H. Claridge, the referee in the football match, Levin Rovers ,v. Shanno 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 interest 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. I. Macgregor appeared for defendants, and Mr Iv. 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 McDoriald to assault E. H. Claridge. Charles Young was charged with assaulting E. IJ. Claridge by striking him on the face.

To the fi'-st 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 not guilty of assault.

It was decided that all the cases he taken together.

Senior-Sergeant Fraser briefly outlined the-charges.' A Levin team visit-, ed Shannon, anU 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 back and strike the referee, even if he had to do six months for it. The referee had his jaw broken on both sides, and had to be treated in the Palmerston Hospital. THE REFEREE’S STORY. Edgar Hereford Claydge, 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 not 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. He ordered McDonald off the field for had language. Witness heard someone say, “Don’t go off, go hack and crack him.” McDonald came back, hut 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 torn 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 wilh his "friends and left him. Witness had to 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 Maegregor, witness said he was a member of the Referees’ Association, and had refereed in several matches this season.

Mr Maegregor: Did you have any money on the game? —No, I did not. The Magistrate: I am not trying the referee, Mr Maegregor, but the charges of assault and bad language.

Mr Maegregor: Did you caution any player in the spell for had language? —Yes, it was a Buckman, hut not the captain.

Counsel: After you were assaulted did you speak to any of the Union officials?—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 it in your mouth, and it was the cause of your teeth being broken.—That is I not so. j “GIVE HIM SOMETHING.” I Carl Frechtling, a member of the Rovers’ team, said an argument arose from the referee awarding a free kick against Shannon. McDonald then called the referee a foul name, and ! the referee replied, “That’s enough; you get off.” Lionel Buckman called McDonald back and said, “Give him something to go off for, even if it costs you six months.” The r.rowd gathered round then. Then someone on the line called out, “Go on, give

him something, hit him.” McDonald then struck Claridge in the face. McDonald hopped, back after) striking. Lionel Buckman then struck the referee with his open hand. Young also shaped up to the referee, but 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 playe dto a finish. Claridge’s mouth was bleeding. From what he saw witness thought McDonald struck the heaviest blovr.

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

How long was it between McDonald being 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 referee. •’

His Worship: It does not matter who referees. If the 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. PLAYERS’ EVIDENCE. Cornelius Keiieher, another member of the Rovers, gave c.orrouorative evidence and stated he saw both McDonald and Buckman strike Claridge.

Cross f&saminejd, witness said he was certain that McDonald struck Claridge. There was no play between the time McDonald t was ordered off and the referee being hit. There was a lot of talk and argument.

Counsel: Did yon see the referee hit McDonald—No, but he put his arms around McDonald.

James Daly, who went with the Rovers to Shannon on May 20, said as McDonald was going off alter being told to do so by the referee, someone called out for him to come back and hit the referee. He did not know who it was who called out. McDonald came back and after arguing with the referee struck him on the jaw. Witness only saw one blow struck. He saw Lionel Buckman and Young strike the referee. The spectators swarmed on to the ground and crowded round the players. He ,saw the referee struggling on the ground wifh a Shannon

player. He did not know who the player was. When the referee 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 Redfern, another of the Rovers, gave supporting evidence as to McDonald striking the referee first and Buckman and Young did likewise after that. “I went to stop the fight,” said witness, “and they struck me.” Witness was struck several times. He heard someone say: “Don’t interfere.” He saw the referee struggling on the ground and when he got up he was bleeding at the mouth. Mr Macgregor: After McDonald struck the referee, what happened?— The referee ordered a man off. Counsel: What was the next?— There was a dispute between Buckman and the referee. Counsel: And Buckman hit him?— Yes.

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, of the Rovers, gave corroborative evidence cf the principal incidents. Witness saw McDonald come back after being ordered off and strike the referee. Buckman was ihe next to strike the referee, and Young then stepped in and struck Claridge and both fell to the ground. When Claridge got up his jaw was swollen, his mouth was bleeding 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 the 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 back and give the referee something to remember. Senior-Sergeant Fraser: Who was it who called out?—-I can’t swear who it was.

Senior-Sergeant FrSser: But you have an idea?—Yes.

Mr Macgregor: I object to the question. The witness says he cannot swear.

His Worship: Well, he can answer. Witness: I think it was Lionel Buckman who called out.

Mr Macgregor said there seemed to be doubt as to the identity of the Shannon players concerned. His Worship: There is no doubt so far.

Mr Macgregor said there might be before the case was concluded. He said McDonald was ordered off ?J)d a

dispute arose between Buckman and

_ wiiitihtrSfiilllilifi the referee, and the' referee used an obscene term, and Young asked the referee “What about ordering yourself off?” . •

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

Lionel Buckman, captain of the Shannon team, stated that Mr Reeves, the referee appointed, did not, arrive, and Mr Claridge was asked to officiate. Before half time witness told the referee he did not agree \vith some of his rulings. In the second half McDonald was ordered off, and the game went on. The referee penalised witness for off-side play and called him a “dirty thing.” Young asked Claridge, “What about ordering yourself off for obscene language?” Claridge stepped towards Young and struck him. The next witness saw was the two men on the ground with Claridge on top. Claridge got up and the game went on Witness asked if McDonald could come back, and the referee said no. He denied calling out to McDonald to come back on the ground. The referee asked who was using bad language, and witness said he did not know.

Senior-Sergeant Fraser: What happened after McDonald; was ordered off—did you go on?—Yes.

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

Did he come back?—No; not till after I smacked the referee. You smacked the referee for using this language?—Yes.

And what caused the referee to hit Young?—For asking him to put himself off. “ORDER YOURSELF OFF.”

Henry Charles Young, of Shannon, gave evidence that he saw the referee 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 “Referee, what about ordering yourself off for obscene language.” Claridge / replied: “Close your f trap or I’ll give you a smack.” Claridge walked towards witness and hit twice, blackening one eye and cutting the other. Witness felt himself falling and he grabbed Claridge and they fell together. He may have hit Claridge in falling. The game went on then. i

Crossi-examined by Senior-Sergeant Fraser, witness said he ran a boxing saloon, but had never knocked a man out in his life. He did not know what McDonald was ordered off for. The game went on while McDonald was going off, but stopped just after. Senior-Sergeant Fraser: Who struck the referee first?—Buckman.

Did you get any bumps that day?— 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 evidence that when ordered off he went over to the sideline. After being off a quarter of an hour he went back. He went back of his own free will. No one called him'back. He was on the line when the fight took place. He did not hit the referee. The trouble was over and the game started when he went back. You were ordered off for bad language?—l did not hear any. Did you come back?—No, 1 went to the line.

Do you know what happened after your being ordered off?—No. Do. you expect the Court to believe that?—Yes.

Then you don’t know any thing of the assaults on the referee?—No.

What have you got to say to all the witnesses who say you were the first to strike the referee?—lt is a case of mistaken identity. «.

Have you ever heard the referee use bad language?—No. A SPECTATOR’S VERSION.

Arthur Grimstone, a spectator of the Rovers-Shannon game, stated he knew McDonald was ordered off. He next saw Young and the referee approach each other, and the referee hit Young on the face. The referee missed the next blow, and Young struck him. They closed and fell on the ground. Witness went over as the men got up, and there was no more trouble. He did not see McDonald hit the referee. McDonald went back after the assault and continued to play. Questioned by the Senior-Sergeant, witness said he did not know why McDonald was ordered off. It would be about five minutes after McDonald left that the assault, took place. McDonald was with witness on the line when Young started to mix things with the referee. Witness only saw Young hit the referee once. John 1 Holden, a member of the Shannon Juniors, said after McDonald was ordered off, the referee called Buckman a foul name for dumping a man, and Buckman hit him. The referee then hit YYmng for calling him a name, and Young retaliated.

Under cross-examination, witness said there was five minutes’ play between McDonald going off and the assault. The referee used indecent language to both Buckman and Young. Senior-Sergeant: How is it Young did not h6ar it?—l don’t knw.

Harold Hardy, a spectator, gave evidence that after McDonald went off the scuffle started on the field. Witness was not within hearing distance then, but saw L. Buckman hit the referee with his open hand. The referee struck at someone, but witness did not see who he hit at. The referee then came out. with Young under his arm, trying to give him a hiding. He was holding Young with one arm and hitting him \vith the other. Witness was on the sideline when the referee was struck. A WITNESS REBUKED.

Henry Rubinson, a member of the Shannc.i team, said he saw Buckman hit the referee, and the referee hit Young. Seniu --Sergeant Fraser: Where was McDonu. i when the assault was going on?—uu the line.

Senior-Sergeant: How do you know? —I was watching him. Senior-Sergeant: How do you know about the assault them?—l was watching both. His Worship: I don’t believe a word you say. If you say you were watching McDonald all the time, that taints the whole of your evidence. REFEREE RECALLED. Mr Claridge was recalled at the instance of his Worship, and said he knew of Buckman dumping a man, nor did he call Buckman a certain name for doing so. He never heard Young say: “Order yourself off for obscene language.” Witness was dazed, but was certain he did not use bad language. He may have hit someone after he was dazed, but he did not know.

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

DEFENDANTS CONVICTED OF ASSAULT.

In giving judgment, his Worship said whether the suggestion was made to McDonald or not to come back and strike the 'referee, he was satisfied McDonald came back and hit the referee. The evidence given by the police witnesses 'appeared l'ar more probable than that given by the other side. All the witnesses spoke of Buckman having struck the referee with his open hand. This was not likely to be the blow that did the real damage, and his Worship did not think it was. Nor did he think it was Young’s blow. He thought that it was McDonald who had so seriously injured the referee when he struck him. There was no doubt the referee was first assaulted by McDonald, and later by ' Buckman and Young. As far as Young was concerned, it was inconceivable that he had received a black eye and had the other cut before he struck at the referee. It seemed a pity that in a game of football players could not take the decisions of the referee 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 of offence that if a man had a previous conviction he was liable to imprisonment. McDonald would be convicted and fined £lO, half the fine to go to Mr Claridge. On the charge of indecent language the defendant would be convicted and discharged. Buckman and Young 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 14/4, with 7/ each Court expenses.