ALLEGED ASSAULT AND ROBBERY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 306, 31 December 1907, Page 2

ALLEGED ASSAULT AND ROBBERY.

SLOW CYCLISTS. Per Press Association. Christchurch, Lttst Nigiit. Benjamin O'Connell was charged at the Aaiapoi Police Court to-day with attempting to assault Kobcrt 'Lydster, aged 17, and Cr. Ellis. . The former, in his evidence, stated that between U and 12 o'clock on December 24th, O'Oonnell on horseback overtook witness and a youth" named Ellis, who were on hicycles. O'Connell bored Ellis on to tht shingle, and Ellis had to get off his machine, got oil' nis horse, and deuinjidcl uioneyi from him. Accused then followed witness and calle'd on him to get oil his bicycle. He~got hold of the bicycle, and held Sis arm and threatened if lie called out he would strike him, and also threatened .t<? shoot. Ho

demanded money and searched witnesspockets, taking away a parcel of the value of ten shillings. Ellis gave similar evidence. For the defence, accused's father said that O'Connell when he reached home was too drunk to assault anyone, and his brothers and witness put him to bed. Two brothers, Michael i I ant * koveday stated thev 1 air left ICaiapoi pretty full of beer, and 1 were in company drinking beer from a 1 bottle near where the alleged. assault / took place. It could not have happened, Loveday stated, without his seeine or hearing of it. The bench decided to conmut accused for trial. Bail was allowed.