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Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser 12 July 1892.
Charge of Assault.
Alfred Hall, landlord of the "Colyers Arms," Betham, Southfleet, was
charged with assaulting Robert Wakeman and Philip Letchford, at
Greenstreet Green, on July 6th.
Mr Waller, of Bromley, appeared for the complainants, and Mr Ridley, of
Dartford, represented the defendant.
Robert Wakeman said he went into the "White Hart," Greenstreet Green,
and saw the defendant. A conversation took place about an old
transaction, and he called defendant a rogue. Defendant said if he said
that again he would smash him. He said it was true, whatever happened.
Upon that defendant struck him in the face and followed him into the
parlour, where he continued to strike him and kick him, inflicting
serious injuries on the face and the body. (The witness has black eyes,
and his face was much bruised and cut.)
Philip Letchfield, who also lives at Longfield, said he went into the
"White Hart" and saw the defendant's striking Wakeman. He called out to
him to hold hard, and then Hall struck him, knocking one have his teeth
out.
Mr Ridley said defendant had sued the complainant Wakeman in the County
Court, at Dartford, on Wednesday, and had obtained a judgement against
him. Upon defendant coming out of the Court Wakeman assaulted him with
all kinds of abuse, calling him a rogue and a thief, and other abusive
and provocative names. When he left Dartford to go home Wakeman followed
him, and when he stopped at the "White Hart," Greenstreet Green, went
into that house after him, and there continued his abuse, and repeated
the slanderous remarks which he made at Dartford, exciting defendant to
strike him. He admitted that an assault has been committed, but it was
done under the circumstances that a very small fine would, he submitted,
meets the merits of the case. He called evidence to this effect.
The chairman, after consultation with his brother magistrates, said the
Bench should come to the conclusion that they must convict in both
cases.
In the first case they considered there was a great provocation and
defendant would be find 6d without costs, and in the second case,
considering the blow was struck in the excitement of the struggle, the
fine would be 6d and costs.
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