ALLEGED ASSAULT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 319, 18 January 1908, Page 5

ALLEGED ASSAULT.

STEWART COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. In the Police Court jester Jay the hearing of the charge against Alexander James Stewart uf I laving ansaulted awl caused actual bodily harm to Detective Boddam was resumed. Dr. Walker stated that on the night of January Bth, shortly after 10 o'clock, Detective Boddam came to his surgery. The detective was in a goraewliat excited state, giving evidence of severe physical exertion, and complaining of an injury to his right hand. On examination it was found that he had re-

ccived an abrasion of the knuckle of the thumb and a severe sprain of the tendons on the back of the thumb, which would have caused him severe [>ain. It would probably be a month or mx weekß before lie would have the full use of his hand.

By the accused: The injury could have been caused by a hard blow or knoik or in catching you (accused) by the shoulder. Boxers frequently suffer Binrlar injuries. The detective's injurv could have been caused independently of any. body else or with the co-operation of another.

Ap<u-ed, who gave his occupation as marine engineering, .-aid he would make a statement on oath. He stated that about 10 p.m. on January Bth he went to the police station and knocked at the utteetii e a office door. The detective aaid, 'tome in." He went in, and went to sit down on a chair by the table, when the detective said, "Mind my hat!" Accused picked the hat up and "put it on the table, and sat down. He was about to ask the detective a question, but before he had finished speaking the other got up and grabbed him at the chest, carted him from his office into the big room, and rolled him on the lloor for two or three minutes. After that Boddam picked him up, took him back into his office, and handcuffed him. The detective went out on to the veran- | dah, saying, ill send you along for twelve months." After a minute or two he came back into his office and reached down a revolver from above his table, and put it up against the left side of witness's temple, saying. "The public ought to be rid of you.'' He heard the detective call to someone outside to go for Sergeant Haddrell.

By Sergeant Haddrell: Tie question

' was going to ask Detective Boddam at the station was, "Who ivos it that supplied the information to Mr. about my being in gaol!" but before I had got the words "Mr. " out of my mouth he grabbed me like this (accused put hj» hand to his breast). Accused pleaded not guilty. Accused was committed tor trial at the nert sitting of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth. As the offence w;inot a very ferious one, accused would be released in one surety of £25.

Accused asked to be supplied with a copy of the depositions.