BAILIFF GASHED BY GLAZIER’S KNIFE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 368, 31 May 1928, Page 16

BAILIFF GASHED BY GLAZIER’S KNIFE

CALLED HIM A "MONGREL" (Special to TUB SUN) WANGANUI, Wednesday. When Bernard Conroy thought John Curran, a bailiff, was following him about, he invited him to come behind the Y.M.C.A. Building with him. There he hit him several times and wounded him with an old glazier's knife. Curran passed the next six weeks in hospital. Ta-day Conroy appeared in the Supreme Court charged with assault, causing actual bodily harm. Medical evidence showed that Curran had been struck a blow behind the ear, and the skin and flesh were torn. Sergeant S.ivyer said Conroy admitted the assault. Accused said that when Curran came up to him he (Conroy) called him a “mongrel,” and Curran then attacked him. He admitted that he had an old glazier’s knife and a paint brush in his hand, but he could not say whether he used them on Curran. as he was very excited. It seemed to witness that accused thought Curran had been following and shadowing him for some reason. Accused, in his evidence, said Curran had been following him about for some time. He admitted striking Curran, but said the latter first struck him with his knee. He had been drinking during the day. His Honour said that he had listened carefully for any expression of regret on the part of accused for the injury he had inflicted on Curran, an injury he would carry to his death, but there was not the slightest expression of regret. On the other hand, accused was full of vanity, and boasting, rather, that he got his blows in. The jury returned a verdict of common assault, with a recommendation to mercy on account of prisoner’s mental condition Sentence was deferred until Saturday, and, in the meantime, the prisoner will be medically examined.