El asalto de John Lennon a Bob Wooler llega a la prensa nacional

Guitarist John Lennon, 22-year-old leader of The Beatles “pop” group, said last night: “Why did I have to go and punch my best friend?“I was so high I didn’t realise what I was doing”Then he sent off a telegram apologising to 29-year-old Liverpool “rock” show compere and disc jockey Bob Wooler, who was nursing a black eye, bruised ribs and torn knuckles.The night before Bob and John were both at a Liverpool party to celebrate the 21st birthday of another of the Beatles, Paul McCartney.’Booted’Other “beat” music stars – including members of the Shadows and the Pacemakers – were at the party in Dinas-lane, Huyton, Liverpool, when a fight started.Yesterday Wooler said: “I don’t know why he did it. I was booted in the face. I begged him to stop.“Finally he was pulled off by other people at the party.“I have been a friend of the Beatles for a long time. I have often compered shows where they have appeared. OI am terribly upset about this – physically as well as mentally.”Wooler was treated for his injuries in hospital, where he was driven by Mr Brian Epstein, who has the Beatles under contract.Epstein said last night: “I did not see the incident. All I did was to drive him to the hospital. I can only hope he gets well soon.”John Lennon, in London with the Beatles last night, said: “I had a great deal to drink at the party and very little to eat.“By the time this happened I didn’t know what I was doing.“Bob is the last person in the world I would want to have a fight with. I can only hope he realises that I was too far gone to know what I was doing.”One of the men who was at the party said: “I looked out of a window and saw Bob Wooler staggering about with blood all over his face. He was saying: ‘Get Brian Epstein.’“I learned later that John Lennon had attacked Wooler.’PUNCH-LINE: Lennon helped to write The Beatles’ latest hit tune “From Me To You.”