RESISTING THE POLICE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4898, 10 December 1894, Page 3

RESISTING THE POLICE.

A Salutary Sentem,

John Murphy alias Cudby, was charged in the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Messrs Hughes, Heron, and E, Smith, J.P.'s, with unlawfully resisting the police in the execution of their duty,also with being without any lawful means of support. Accused, who pleaded not guilty to both (Wges, had been watched by the fmce since hia arrival in the town, sipe when he had been observed drinking, andannoyingseveral residents in town. He had sold bis boots to obtain money for drink. Ho offered his services to tho proprietor of the local brewery, stating that he 1 would chop wood, clean casks, or do anything about tho place if he was kept in beer,the accused to find himself in food.

Sergeant McArdle gave evidonce as to the character of the prosecution.

Constable Stewart, called, stated that about one o'clock on Sunday morning, ho observed the accused loitering about tho street, and upon questioning him as to where he was staying, received a stunning blow on tho head in reply. Witness then struck tho accused with his baton, which, being an old one, broko in half. The accused then drew a knife at witness who left to procure assistance. Later on came across accused in the street near the Institute, and after a deal of trouble succeeded in arresting bim, when accused admitted that ho had assaulted witness, but it ■was on account of boing stopped and asked questions which ho did not think wore of any concern to tho police. The Sergeant stated to the Bench that it was a caso in which tho police should be protected by the Court as such men were a menace if allowed to roam about sis they liked. Accused had about a dozen previous : convictions recorded against him, < for drunkenness, resisting the police,

otc,, in various park of the Colony, Evidenco was called to show that the accused had been to a local baker's somo time ago,whero he procured bread on the pretence that it would bo paid for wlion ho recoivod his cheque.' Since thon lie bad tried I to repeat the ruse, and had conducted liinxself in an impropermanner in a certain shop wanting to shake hands with the female assistant, who was compelled to seok polico protection, Accused then asked the Bench if ho might plead on his own behalf, and being told he could, informod the Bench tint ho was known in Masterton for the past ton years, and was one of the most harmloss men in tho country, and hoped the Bonch would deal leniently with him.

Tho Bonch, in deciding the case, stated that as accused was an old offender with a bad record against him, and tho present chargo against him was a serious one, which they considered to be amply proved by the evidence adduced, and also the chargo of vagrancy, lie would bo sen; viiccd to three months'imprisonment on each charge, tho senteikT.s to bo cumulative.