“Treated Her With Brutality

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 306, 10 December 1936, Page 8

“Treated Her With Brutality

BARONET’S WIFE ALLEGATION AGAINST POLICE When Lady (Dorothy) Guntei appeared on remand at Kingston, England, the Bencli dismissed the charge against her—one of five—of dangerous driving, which it was stated at the previous iibaiing she was willing should go to a jury. The hearing of the four remaining charges was adjourned, bail being renewed. They alleged an assault on Police Constable William Smith; wilfully obstructing Police Constable Smith; failure to conform to traffic signals; and wilfully damaging a window at the police station. Concerning these charges Mr Dn Cann, who defended, said: “The case for the defence will be that, far from assaulting the police, Lady Gunter was in fact treated with the greatest brutality and indignity.

“A complaint has been laid before the Commissioner of Police with regard to the conduct of the individual concerned, and this lady has instructed her solicitor to bring an action r-lai-vng damages not only for personal injury, but for damage to her property by the police.” Concerning the allegation of dangerous driving, which arose out of an incident in Kingston at five minutes before midnight on September G. Police Constable Smith said Lady Gunter drove past a red traffic light. She refused to give her name and address or produce her licence. The engine was started and the car was driven quickly backwards over a road junction. When he asked Lady Gunter again for her address, she replied, “1 refuse to tell you anything.” He then arrested her. Mr Du Cann: Did you pull the lady out of the car by the wrist?—No. Did you manage to break her watch? —No, her wrist and watch were in my grasp until we got to the police station. When I released her wrist the watch fell to the floor. It fell to pieces as far as I can say. A £2OO watch fell to pieces did it?— The works of the watch aiid the case and the bracelet were in three separate parts.