Tonbridge Free Press – 9th October 1886

TONBRIDGE PETTY SESSIONS.

Before Homersham Cox Esq. and A. T. Beeching Esq.

Edward Sullivan and Thomas Chappell, hoppers, were charged with an attempted robbery with violence from the person of Jason Edwards, at Tonbridge, on the 29th September.

The prosecutor deposed; I live in Postern Heath Farm and am stockman and shepherd to Mr. J A Waite. Yesterday evening from half past six to a quarter to seven, as near as I can judge, I was standing on Postern Gate waiting to close the gate after the hoppers left. I was about two rods out of the public path, and some distance from my master’s house. It was just getting dusk. The two prisoners came along and Sullivan said to me “What are you doing there you old b_______”. I said “I am doing my duty”. My duty was to shut the gate so that the cows should not get out. Then Sullivan told me to get off about my business and I said to him “I shall not; I am in my work and doing my duty, and shall not go.” Up to this time Chappell had not done or said anything. Both men then began to make water over me, and I told them to get away. They said that if I did not go they would knock me down. I don’t know why they wanted me to go away. I told them they had better go about their business as I didn’t want to have anything to do with them. Then Chappell went round behind me and putting his arms round me tried to get his hand in my left hand trouser pocket. I walked away a short distance and Chappell followed me up and tried the same thing again. During this time Sullivan was in front of me with his fists in a threatening attitude, and all the while swearing at me and saying what he would do if I did not get away. Then Chappell took hold of the front of my jacket and tore it as it now is. I had a stick about two feet long in my hand at the time, and I struck him on the head with it. Both prisoners then started on to me and knocked me down. They punched me with their fists and kicked me, causing the marks and bruises which are now on my head. I told them to get away, and asked if they wanted to kill me, and they said “Yes you old b___________, if you don’t go away we will kill you.” Once while on the ground, they tried again to get at my pockets, but I don’t know which one it was. I had two or three shillings in money in my pocket, but they did not take it. They said nothing about having my money, which was in the pocket Chappell endeavoured to put his hand into. I managed to get away from them, and they followed me up. One of them knocked me down again. I can’t say which this was, as I was smothered in blood and could not see. While I was on the ground a man whom I don’t know came by, and I called for help. This man told them they should not do it, and one of the prisoners put his hand in his face, and so frightened him and he went away. Then one of the prisoners knocked me down a third time, and threatened that if I did not go away they would kill me. I got up and found my hat, and then the prisoners went on their way towards Tonbridge. They walked away. I shut the gate and went and told my master at once what had occurred. Mr. Waite told me I had better go to Tonbridge and see if I could find the prisoners and have them locked up. I went to the police station and saw Supt. Barnes. After that I went to the "Chequers Inn" about half past nine with P.C. Potter, and there he saw Sullivan. I at once identified him as one of the men who had attacked me, and I gave him into custody. Just before ten I was standing outside the station and I saw Chappell brought in by P.C. Potter. I identified him as the second man. I had never seen either of the prisoners before.

By Sullivan: I did not hit you with my stick directly you came up to me. I did not do anything to make you think I was going to rob you. I did not call you any names.

By Chappell: You were both the worse for liquor. I did not hit you before you tore my jacket and attacked me, or kick you on the leg at all. You did not ask me the time.

Thomas Stevens, a labourer belonging to Worcestershire, said he had been hop picking at Mr. Waites. Yesterday, after he had had been picking he went to do some shopping, and when he was returning he met the prisoners on the Sewage Farm. They were going towards Tonbridge, and it was then about a quarter to seven o’clock. He had known Sullivan before. Witness asked Sullivan how he was getting on, and Sullivan asked him to go and have some beer with him, but he refused. Chappell said “We have been having a row with an old countryman, and think we have nearly killed him,” and when witness asked who it was he said the man wore a white jacket and leather leggings. Chappell went away, and came back in about ten minutes. Witness had been talking to Sullivan while he was gone. They then shook hands and the prisoners went away towards Tonbridge. The prisoner Chappell did not say what the row was about, and witness did not ask him as it was nothing to do with him.

By Sullivan: You did not tell me you had been stopped by a man with a stick.

P.C. Potter said that on Wednesday evening, about 9.30, from information he had received, he went to the "Chequers Inn" accompanied by the prosecutor. He saw Sullivan sitting in the tap room. Edwards pointed him out. Witness told Sullivan he would be charged with assaulting a man at the Postern that evening and attempting to rob him. He replied “I know nothing about it.” Witness handed Sullivan to I.C. Taylor and PC Phipps, by whom he was taken to the station. A quarter of an hour later, from what he was told, he went again to the tap room at the Chequers and arrested Chappell, who was afterwards identified by Edwards at the station. Witness told Chappell the charge, and he said he did not know anything about it. He refused to come to the station, and witness had to obtain the assistance of P.C. Saunders. He was very violent all the way.

After the usual caution had been read, Sullivan said Edwards stopped them with a stick in his hand, and they only acted in self-defence. Chappell said Edwards was in the footpath, and he pushed him out of the way. Then Edwards struck him on the head with his stick, and he returned the blow in self-defence. He had money of his own, and it was not true that he attempted to rob Edwards.

The Bench

then committed the prisoners for trial at the next assizes, but offered to accept bail, the accused in £40 each, and two sureties in £20 each, due notice to be given to the police.