Mr. G. W. King was occupied for some time at H. M. Police Court on Tuesday in hearing a charge of assault against a Sikh police constable, who was alleged to have used his baton too freely on a watchman employed at the Ewo Mill, Yangtszepoo Road.
The complainant, whose name is Barton Singh, told the court that he chanced to fall asleep while on duty, and upon this being, reported to the manager he was dismissed on the spot. Demanding his pay, he was told to wait for it until the following morning, but_as he insisted upon being paid a Sikh policeman was called and he was pushed off the premises. Out in the street, the constable tore off witness's shirt and struck him with his baton.
The police constable's version was that complainant was drunk and he was called to see him off the premises and take him to the Police station. Complainant took off his turban and twisted it round witness's neck and began to squeeze it, when witness blew his whistle. A trooper came along and complainant was threatened with a ride to the police station in a wheelbarrow if he would not go quietly. He went. Witness. did not draw his baton at all.
Mr. Stanley Parkinson, an assistant at the mill, spoke as to complainant being asleep on duty, and under the influence of drink. As he had been warned about drinking, he was discharged and ordered off the premises. He refused to go without his wages, (which could not be given him as the office was closed), and the policeman now charged. and a watchman, managed to get him away out of the yard.
The case was adjourned until the afternoon, when complainant called a witness who said he saw the constable draw his baton and strike complainant two or three times.
Complainant (who had now engaged Mr. J. G. Priestwood in his defence) said he wished to call other witnesses, but he did not know their names or where they worked. Two Chinese met him in the street and volunteered to give evidence. He proposed now to go and stand in the street where they first met him and wait until they came along, as he knew their faces.
The case was further adjourned.
At Wednesday's hearing the accused was convicted and fined $3. The constable stoutly denied having drawn his baton, although the complainant was said to hava twisted his turban round the policeman's neck and to have Strongly resisted arrest. After hearing a number of witnesses, his Worship came to the conclusion that the baton had been used. In the circumstances, he said, the constable would have been entitled to use it, and there was no reason why he should lie about the matter, Hence the fine,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.