From the Kentish Gazette, 3 June 1845.

ROCHESTER, May 26. Serious Affray.

On Saturday, the 24th instant, the mayor of this city, with several other magistrates, were occupied for several hours at the Guildhall investigating a case of a very serious description against four men, named Thomas Langford, coalheaver, Edward Wicker, fisherman, Ambrose Horton, fisherman, and Henry Driver, labourer, charged with having at the "Dolphin" public house, Strood, created a tumultuous disturbance on the morning of the 13th instant, at two o'clock a.m., and there beating a man named Thomas Williams, in the employ of the Thames and Medway Canal Railway Company, in such a dreadful manner, that faint hopes are entertained of his recovery.

The prisoners have been in custody ever since the occurrence, in consequence of Williams being so much injured as not to be able to attend to give his evidence. It was proved by evidence that each of the prisoners were in the affray, and severely beat the poor fellow with bludgeons (one of which was produced and was about three feet in length, and the thickness of a broomstick), whom they knocked down, and otherwise kicked over the head and different parts of the body, and when taken away by assistance which was procured, he was covered with blood.

In the desperate struggle Williams had his leg broken, and one of the prisoners, named Wicker, had his foot dislocated from the ankle.

The case excited considerable sensation, and the Hall was crowded with persons.

The evidence of witnesses being complete against the accused, the mayor committed the four prisoners for trial at the next quarter sessions for this city, and the prisoners, during the afternoon were conveyed to Maidstone gaol.