Sheerness Guardian 14 May 1859.

POLICE. CASES.

Before the Rev. J. Poore, D.D., at Sittingbourne, Tueadav, May 10th., 1859.

STABBING AND WOUNDING.

Michael Paraw, able seaman, of H.M.S. Cressy, was charged with stabbing and wounding John Goulding, a 2nd class Petty Officer, of H.M.S. Cressy, at the "New Inn" Ale House at Sheerness, on the 5th May instant.

John Goulding “the model of a British Tar," deposed, on Wednesday the 5th instant, I was at the "New Inn," at Sheerness, in company with prisoner and two other ship mates; the prisoner was angry with me for giving a man a drop of gin; a quarrel arose between myself and prisoner about the gin which led to blows; we fought three rounds and then left off. I believe I had the best of the fight. I went out and thought it was all over; I returned to the "New Inn" in about half an hour and when sitting down, the prisoner rushed at me and made a stab at my left breast; I parried the blow with my arm, and the prisoner made another thrust and stabbed me in the back; I felt the knife enter my back; the prisoner then ran out, I pursued him and caught him in a shop. I pummelled the prisoner well and drummed him out of it; by this I mean, I gave him a good thrashing and let him go; I soon felt the effects of my wound and bled very much; I was taken to a doctor and afterwards went home and was removed from there to my ship. I am still on the sick list. The shirts produced by Sergt. Ovenden are those I wore when I was stabbed.

The charge was substantiated and confirmed by Francis Thomas, Mary-Ann Ovenden, and Sergeant Ovenden. The prisoner who is evidently a Foreigner, but speaks broken English, said he was so drunk that he did not recollect anything about the occurrence. Committed to gaol for trial at the summer assizes.

WEDNESDAY.

Eliza Wright was sentenced to two months hard labour for illegally pawning, two quilts, three sheets and one blanket the property of Thomas Hollands of the "Good Intent" beer and lodging house. Sheerness.

Sheerness Guardian 23 July 1859.

SHEERNESS COUNTY COURT.

The above court was held on Tuesday last, before J. 'Espinasse, Esq. The cause list was unusually heavy.

Macey v. Pratten — (Jury case.)

Mr. M. Stephenson for the plaintiff, Mr. H. Stephenson for the defendant.

Claim £1 17s. 6d. In stating the case Mr. M. Stephenson said that the plaintiff formerly kept the "New Inn," in Blue Town. The defendant, who was well-known as a fast young man, incurred the debt sued for, which was for victuals and drink and for money lent and until the summons was taken out the debt was not disputed. The plaintiff having been sworn deposed that 15s. was owing for goods supplied and the rest for money borrowed. In cross examination he said whether the house was respectable or not, Mr. H. Stephenson had been there himself and had had many a glass of ale in it, (laughter.) He declined to answer, whether the house was frequented by loose women and also whether he had seen a woman of the town going up stairs with defendant.

For the defence, a witness was called of the name of Forrester, who had been a waiter in Macey's employ, but he was not forthcoming. Mr. H. Stephenson contended that he had been subpoenaed, but the clerk of the court said he had not. Mr. H Stephenson persisted that he had and it was with considerable difficulty that he could be convinced to the contrary.

William Pratten, senr, (father of the defendant) was than called, but his evidence was immaterial. His Honour desired the jury to return a verdict for immediate payment with costs.

Mr. H. Stephenson applied for leave for a new trial in consequence of the absence of a material witness, (Forrester.) The application was refused.

Sheerness Guardian 3 August 1859.

KENT SUMMER ASSIZES.

The following cases are those of local interest.

"The Knife" at Sheerness.

Michael Paraw, 35, seamen, was charged with stabbing and wounding John Golding, on the 5th of May last, at Minster, in Sheppey. Mr. Russell for the prosecution. The particulars of the case were given in this paper at the time of the occurrence.

Francis Thomas a man of colour, said that he was at the "New Inn," Sheerness, on the day in question. The prosecutor who is a petty officer on board the Creasy, and the prisoner, were also there. Prisoner treated prosecutor to some gin, and then began to pull his whiskers about, in consequence of which a fight took place, the prosecutor getting the worst of it. The prisoner then left the room for about half-an-hour, when he returned, deliberately opened his knife, which was suspended from his side by a "lanyard," and stabbed prosecutor in one of his shoulders. Prosecutor fell, and prisoner again tried to stab him, but witness interfered and prevented him. Prisoner then left the house, and threw the knife away.

Mrs. Ovenden deposed to having found the knife, which had prisoner’s name on it, in a yard close by.

David Ovenden, husband of last witness, and police sergeant at Sheerness, saw Golding bleeding from a wound in his left shoulder. Witness afterwards took the prisoner at a public-house called the "Hit or Miss."

Prisoner who urged that he was drunk, was found guilty of unlawfully wounding, and was sentenced to six months hard labour.

Sheerness Guardian, 20 October, 1860.

SITTINGBOURNE PETTY SESSIONS.

Monday. — Present. E. Twopenny, Esq., (in the chair), Rev. G. B. Moore, and J. Dixon Dyke, Esq.

Robert Byford, a private in the Royal Artillery, was charged with stealing two cloth caps, the property of Jacob Jacobs, outfitter at Sheerness.

Police constable Okill, K.C.C., stated that on the previous Wednesday, he went to the "New Inn" and saw the prisoner who had just sold a cap and remarked that another cap had been stolen from him. Okill took the cap from him and found another in a cupboard. Upon asking the prisoner how he came by them, he stated that he had won them in a raffle. He then apprehended him, and upon enquiry, found he had stolen them from the prosecutor's shop.

The prisoner repeated that he had won them in a raffle but could not tell where or of whom, for he had not been in Sheerness more than four days and was very drunk at the time.

Committed for trial.