BATTERED AND BRUISED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 325, 12 June 1911, Page 8

BATTERED AND BRUISED.

ASSAULT AT A SCORIA PIT. By Telegraph.—Prese Association. AucKlaud, June 9. At the Police Court to-day, William Sherry was charged that at Ellerslie, on May 11, lie. assaulted Martin Monaghan, causing him actual bodily harm. On the night in question, Monaghan, a draper residing at Ellerslie, was found lying in an unconscious condition, and had to be taken to the hospital. The accused voluntarily gave himself up to the police next morning, and was charged with assaulting Monaghan. Martin Monaghan, who has now almost recovered from his injuries, gave evidence that on the day of the assault, some time in the eveniig, the accused's wife was sitting down in a scoria pit near Ellerslie. Witness was with the woman. Sherry came up and said: "I'll kill you. Tou with my wife. 11l kill you." Accused punched him all over the head, bashed his head on the ground, caught hold of him by the throat, and nearly choked him. Mrs. Sherry tried to pull accused away, and accused hit her. He remembered Sherry coming back and kicking him in the side, when his rib was broken. Dr. William Gillies Borrie gave evidence as to Monaghan's injuries. His face was bruised and swollen practically all over. Both eyes were bruised, swollen, and discolored, and an eyelid cut. Both lips were swollen and bruised, the lower one bearing an abrasion inside. The nose was fractured. There were five serious wounds to the scalp, one of them extending to the skull, and the outer bone of the skull was split off. The seventh rib and the left thigh bone were fractured. Numerous bruises were on the arms and body. The injuries were verv severe.

Constable Sherman, in charge of Ellerslie Police Station, said he had known about Sherrv's domestic troubles. Sherry had told him that he had come home from work and found his wife absent. An infant of about six or seven months ivas left mi the care of a child of six. After nutting the children to bed Sherry had 'gone out to look for his wiife._ Witness told him he had seen her go in the direction of the scoria pit, and walked with Sherry part of the distance. Then he returned, and he had Cot about six hundred yards away when he heard screams like a woman's, and went back. Sherrv. who met him. told witness he had found his .wife, and said: "That black was with her." Accused was like a madman. Accused reserved his defence and rlended not guiltv. He was committed *o the Supreme Court for trial, bail being allowed in a suretv of £SO.