Thursday 9 January 2014

Crime and punishment

Not really anything to do with beer this time. Just random court reports from the 1860's.

"NEWARK BOROUGH POLICE.
Thursday.—(Before the Mayor and the ex-Mayor.)—
Assault. —Thomas Burgess, fruiterer, charged Andrew Ford, coach-maker, with an assault on Wednesday afternoon, in Bridge-street.—Case dismissed, complainant pay the costs.

Assault.—Ann Andrews charged Hannah Mobley and JOHN Palethorpe, of Wells-yard, with assaulting her.—Complainant and witnesses stated that Palethorpe struck her on the head in the contest, and from the evidence adduced there was no doubt she had met with some foul treatment, marks made by his fingers being still visible, and good deal of hair was torn from off her head. The Mayor passed some severe remarks upon the degrading nature of the case.—The magistrates thought there were faults on both sides, and when that was the case they ordered the expenses to divided between the parties, which would done in this case, and which amounted to 7s 6d.

Friday.—(Before the Mayor.)—Vagrancy.— Robert Wilson Kilk, an old man, and a native of Brodholme, well known as an old vagabond and thief, was brought up charged with begging in Balderton-gate, on the 8th inst. —Committed to Southwell for ten days.

Monday.—(Before the Mayor, J. Handley, Esq., M.P., and Dr. Morton.)—Assault and Intimidation.—Thos. Turner charged Joseph Halvey, Geo. Hinckley, alias George Walker, and Richard Catley, with an assault on Saturday.—The complainant's face was much disfigured.—The defendants were fined £1 each, including costs ; in default of payment one month's imprisonment, with hard labour.

Drunk.—Catherine Judson, a notorious drunkard and prostitute, was sent to prison for being drunk and not being able to pay a fine and costs inflicted.—Term of imprisonment, 21 days' hard labour. She was taken to the police office in a wheelbarrow, not being able to walk.

Wm. Dyson was sent to Southwell for 14 days for being a rogue and vagabond. He pretended to be deaf and dumb, and swore at the officer when charged with the offence."
Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 13 June 1862, page 2.
It's really the Catherine Judson case that caught my eye. Why couldn't she walk? Was she pissed again?

1 comment:

Alan said...

Coach-maker v fruitier crime often went on as justice turned a blind eye.