CRIME IN SYDNEY

Shannon News, 24 July 1925, Page 1

CRIME IN SYDNEY

TWO AGAINST TWENTY. POLICE HOLD HOB AT BAT. Savagely attacked by a mob of about twenty hoolligans two constables shewed heroism in Cleveland street, on Saturday night, says a Sydney paper. It was a fight against great odds, but the police held the crowd at bay. and eventually their attackers gave in and ran away. One of the constables fought against (he mob for some, time by himself. He was roughly handled, but with the arrival of the other policemen the tide of battle changed. The police report is that Constable Freeman, of the Red fern Police, was on duty in Cleveland street, at about 9.30 p.m., and spoke to a man, who. it is alleged, was using indecent language.

He arrested the man. and as he caught hold of him a mob gathered around the two. Freeman was about to lea<j his main away when the mob rushed at him. The constable tried to defend himself, and at the same time keep hold of his prisoner. "KMI Him" But he had no chance, and was thrown heavily to the ground. Dazed, the constable triea to stagger to his feet, and then he heard somebody shout, "Kill him " Things were looking very ugly when Constable D. Telford, a new member of the force, arrived. A first-grade Rugby Union footballer, Telford, who plays for the Manly team and has been chosen to play against the All Blacks on Wednesday, is a sturdy young man, and he quickly made his presence felt. More than one of the mob were sorry after he had been busy for a while, that they had come to the prisoner's aid, and when Freeman got to his feet, and went to his mate's assistance, the crowd gave in. A few

unobtrusively disappeared, and the mob quickly followed them.

Freeman still had hold of his man, and the battered, but victorious constables took him to the Recffern Police Station, where he was charged with assault, and using indecent language.