Wateringbury Stationmaster assaults passenger(1893)

Post date: Oct 18, 2013 10:43:40 AM

Extract from South Eastern Gazette, 1st April 1893.

CHARGE OF ASSAULT AGAINST A STATION-MASTER. Herbert Morrell, stationmaster, at Wateringbury, on the South Eastern Railway, was summoned for assaulting Elizabeth Ann Watson, at Wateringbury, on Feb. 13th.

Mr. W. S. Norton appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. R. T. Tatham defended.

Mr. Norton, in opening the case, said complainant was the wife of James Watson, a carman, living in Maidstone, and defendant was stationmaster at Water­ingbury. On Feb. 13th complainant was returning from visiting her father, who lived) at Redhill, Wateringbury. She went into the waiting-room at the station, and was followed by the prisoner, who asked her if she would like a light. She replied that she did not need one. Defendant lit the gas and drew down the blind, and also shut the door. He asked where her husband was,and she replied that he was at work. He also asked where she had come from, and having told him, defendant said he would like to go to Redhill, and asked her to go with him. She declined. The defendant stroked her down the face and “ tickled her under the chin.” Complainant attempted to leave the room, whereupon defendant caught hold of her and prevented her doing so for a time. She told a porter at the station of the de­fendant’s conduct, and also informed her husband of what had taken place when she arrived home.

Complainant and her husband went to see defendant the next day to know if he would apologise for his conduct, but he denied the allegation. Her husband asked defendant whether he would settle it there or in London, to which defendant replied that he could do what he liked with him. This statement was borne out by the complainant, her husband and William Baldock, a porter at the station. Mr. Tatham addressed the Bench for the defence, and called Alfred Rayner, booking clerk at Wateringbury station, who said that complainant asked Morrell to light the gas for her in the waiting-room, as she was timid in the dark. Defendant was gone about a minute. Elizabeth Paine, sister of the defendant’s wife, said on the day named she was on a visit to her sister. Defendant was at tea on that day at the time of the- alleged assault. George Cruttenden, a baker, of Maidstone, said he was at Wateringbury station on the night in question, about the time of the alleged assault, and saw the complainant there, but she made no com­plaint to him.

The Bench, (after deliberation, said they had anxiously considered the case, understanding its importance to the defendant, and they had come to the conclusion that it was their painful duty to convict him. They adjourned their decision until the following case had been heard.

ALLEGED ATTEMPT AT BLAGKMAIL James Watson was then charged with attempting to extort money from Morrell by a false accusation. Mr. Tatham prosecuted, and Mr. Norton, defended. Mr. Tatham said the case relied upon the words that defendant used towards Morrell when he spoke to him on February 14th. It was alleged that after having charged Morrell with assaulting his wife he added that he had “better settle it with him.” Herbert Morrell, the prosecutor, and Alfred Andrews, a clerk, gave evidence in support of the case. Mr. Norton submitted that he had no case to answer, and The Bench dismissed the case. For the assault of which he had been convicted, Morrell was fined 40s. and costs.