ASSAULTED A POLICEMAN.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20270, 12 August 1937, Page 9

ASSAULTED A POLICEMAN.

MOTOR-DRIVER CONVICTED. ECHO OF SPRINGBOK MATCH. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Edward Samuel Bowden (32), a motor-driver, was charged with assaulting Edwin William Straffon and using indecent language. Straffon, a police sergeant, said that when he was in Abel Smith Street on the evening of August 7, on duty In plain clothes, he saw several men come along. They were intercepted by the son of the licensee of Victoria Hotel. The men looked towards witness and then Bowden carrfe up, seized him by the lapels, and said witness was the one who punched him in Wigan Street. Bowden used indeoent language, and said he would fight. Brennan then came over and apologised, and tried to drag Bowden away. Cross-examined, witness said he was in plain clothes with the authority of his superiors. He would noi say he was watching the hotel. The men passed him and accused came back, and seized him first by the lapels and later by Hie shoulders. He subsequently apologised. Accused’s slory was ilia I following the Springboks match at the Athletic Park he had had some drinks and was involved in a figlil, receiving an eye injury. He saw Straffon at 9.45 p.m., and accused him of being the one who hit him. Witness denied laying hands on Straffon. Other witnesses supported the story of the accused, but the Magistrate said the sergeant had given a clear aocount of the incidents. Fortunately for accused, it was more of a technical assault than anything else, otherwise he would have gone to gaol without the option of a fine. A fine of 10s was imposed, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment. John Brennan (36), a labourer, who like Bowden had spent the night in the lockup, was charged with obstructing Straffon in the execution of his duty. Both the Magistrate and Sub-In-spector Dempsey asked him if he did not try to restrain Bowden, to which Brennan said “No-” Subsequently the Magistrate said, “Don’t you see we are trying to get you out of a hole?” He dismissed the charge.