SEEN BY CONSTABLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 808, 31 October 1929, Page 1

SEEN BY CONSTABLE

SUDDEN ATTACK ON OLD SHIPMATE

FINE OF £2 IMPOSED Apparently without provocation, Mitchell Leahy went up to an old sh ipm ate who was leaning against a fence in Hobson Street last evening, and struck him twice in the face. He was observed by a constable. Leahy, alias Michael Leahy, a seaman aged 45, was charged at the Police Court this morning with assaulting John Donovan. He pleaded guilty, but urged that the other man had started the row. “I don’t think that is so.’* said SubInspector McCarthy. “There seems to have been no warning of provocation." Complainant, Donovan, said that he was leaning against the fence of the house where he boarded in Hobson Street. He was smoking his pipe when accused had come along and wanted to fight. Finally saying, “Take that!" Leahy had struck witness on the face. The Sub-Inspector: Did he hit you more than once? Witness: Yes; twice. The Magistrate (regarding Donovan’s cut and swollen face) : He looks as if he has been hit more than once. Witness said that there had been no warning and no provocation before the blows were struck. Accused was an old shipmate. Constable Morgan said that he saw the assault Accused had evidently had a drink or two, but was by no means drunk. Leahy had nothing to say, and the sub-inspector said that he had a fairly heavy list, and that his last conviction -was for assault. Accused was fined £2. in default 14 days’ imprisonment. Witnesses’ expenses amounted to 10s. Time to pay was refused.