ASSAULT ON A POLICEMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1920, Page 6

ASSAULT ON A POLICEMAN.

ASSAILANT BOUND OVER TO KEEP THE PEACE. Paul Herman Frederick Zastrow appeared in Court yesterday morning before Messrs. J. S. S. Medley and H. C. Cattley, J.'sP., on a charge of assaulting Constable J. Wroblenski, jit Molesworth street, on Monday afternoon, while in the execution of his duty. Sub-Inspector Hut-ton appeared for the police and Mr, D. Ilutchcn represented accuse.d, who pleaded guilty. Mr. Hutchen said accused was quite a respectable working man, but ho was evidently under a delusion that he was followed about by Constable Wroblenski with a view to being caught in some misdemeanour. In this, of course, he was quite wrong, but it was apparent that some such feeling took control of the man when he assaulted the constable. He asked the Bench to treat him leniently and impose a nominal penalty. He suggested that accused was a subject for medical examination. Sub-Inspector Hutton stated that the constable had occasion to go to the Gas Works on Monday afternoon and on entering the premises he was accosted by defendant, who said something about not having stolen anything and shook his fist in Wroblenski's face and threatened to punch his: nose, using insulting language with the threat. The constable endeavored to avoid a collision with the man, who ultimately followed him out on to the street, where "a ding-dong go" took place, in which the accused was mastered by the constable, who then arrested him. He had been allowed out on bail on a bond of £3 and 5s had been' spent in bringing accused to the station. The Justices expressed a wish to hear Constable Wroblenski's account of the affair- He stated he was going to the stokehold of the works and accused must have seen him approaching and met him at the door, with the words: "What the do you want? I never stole anything." Witness did his best to avoid the man and to persuade him to desist, but after he had finished his business at the works accused followed him out on 1o the footpath and threatened to strike him. and he. went to arrest him and the scuffle ensued. He believed the man was somewhat deficient and had a vicious idea in his head lie had accosted other members of the police and civilians also on other occasions.

In reply io Mr. Hutchen witness said he received no injury. Accused was hound over to keep the peace for a term of twelve months and ordered*to pay the costs of the prosecution and cab hire. The Bench also intimated that if accused's behaviour was such as to suggest it was necessary, they would have him medically examined.