Drunken assault (1914)

Post date: Apr 25, 2014 3:37:54 PM

Extract from Kent Messenger of 15th August 1914

EXCITEMENT AT WATERINGBURY

James Bone pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mary Ann May, at Wateringbury,on July 20th.

Complainant stated that defendant lived in some premises in her occupation, and on the night in question she told him he must vacate them. He then struck her several blows in the face, bruising it and blacking her eye, and knocking her down twice.

Mr. Ellis (for the defence): Were you not suffering from the effects of Saturday night -on the Sunday morning?

Complainant: How do you know? Were you there? You may be very well in your own estimation (laughter).

I suggest you were “stale drunk” from Saturday?— How do you know? (laughter).

I suggest it.— You may suggest but it’s false.

Did you threaten to throw something over Bone?— Yes, I did, and so would you if he kicked up such a jolly row. It was only tea leaves and water.

Did you not call him “a brute?” —Yes; if it had been your dear old mother he had knocked about, would you have liked it? (laughter).

Did your husband catch him by the throat?

— I don’t know; I was too insensible. Serve him right if he did.

I suggest you and your friends assaulted this man, and that all he did was to defend himself?—Poor fellow, he looks bad, doesn’t he? (laughter).

John and Sarah Barnden, Redhill, Wateringbury, corroborated complainant, and admitted that there was a quarrel between May and defendant after the alleged assault.

The Clerk (to Mrs. Barnden): What was her condition as to sobriety?

— She might have had a glass, but she was not drunk.

Mr. Ellis (cross-examining): What makes you say she might have had a glass?

— Well, she often has a glass. Before God and man I have spoken the truth and I shall say no more (laughter).

Mr. Ellis: I suggest------

Witness: You can suggest and and suggest; she is not a person that I cohabit with (laughter).

Mr. Ellis : Do you think what Mrs. May had in the glass had anything to do with her falling?—No.

Mr. Ellis suggested that the dispute was nothing but, a neighbours’ quarrel, and called Defendant, who said complainant threatened to throw some rubbish over him on the 19th, and be gave as the reason for this because he did not bring her home a bottle of beer. Complainant, he suggested, was under the influence of liquor when she told him to leave the house, and his answer was that he should not go until he received proper notice. May then seized him by tho throat and someone struck him on the Jaw. He denied biting the woman or anyone else.

P.C . White gave defendant a good character and said May, who was under the influence of drink at the time, invited witness to his house before the assault, saying there was going to be a row as he intended ejecting defendant.

Having regard to defendant’s good character and, the fact that he had been locked up, the Bench directed him to pay 13s. costs within a week.