Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 13 September 1884.

Alleged Assault by Soldiers.

At the borough petty sessions, on Thursday, before J. V. Bean, Esq. (Mayor), Dr. Lovegrove, and G. Cobay, Esq., Francis John Townsend, John Sheppard, and Henry Swindon, soldiers of the York and Lancaster Regiment, were brought up, on remand, charged with maliciously wounding Carolus Paine, at West Hythe, on August 15th. Mr. Mailiam appeared for the prosecutor.

Complainant said that he lived at West Hythe, and was a labourer. On the day in question he went to the "Prince of Wales" public house about three o’clock in the afternoon. The three prisoners arrived after he got there. Witness spoke to them. All he could remember was that the three prisoners were having some words together, and Piddock took off his coat to fight them. Piddock said, referring to witness, "Here's a man that can fight the three of you." The prisoners then turned on him, and Piddock ran away. He became insensible, and remembered nothing more until Mr. Hackney, surgeon, attended him in the evening. He thought they were all the worse for drink.

George Pidiock said that he lived at West Hythe. He was in the "Prince of Wales" public-house on the 15th instant at two o'clock in the afternoon, and Paine was there when he went in. The three prisoners came in about three o’clock. About an hour-and-a-half after while witness was taking to the prisoners, Paine said he would three soldiers at any time. The men said they came in for a glass of beer, and did not want any row, Paine took off his jacket, and they all went of a rush out of the front door. Witness did not go out with them. The three prisoners and Paine were the worse for liquor. Witness was sober. He did not take off his coat, as stated by Paine, nor did he say that Paine would fight the three of them.

Townsend made a lengthy statement, in which he said that the complainant was in the house when they went in. He asked who they were, and he replied soldiers. Paine said "I don’t care what are I'll fight the three of you," at the same time taking off his coat. After that Paine rushed at him, knocking him down, and falling across him. They got up, and he walked away from the man, when Paine made another rush at him, and they both fell to the ground. As soon as he got clear from Paine he went into the public-house, and Paine afterwards came in and said "I’m very sorry for insulting you soldiers."

John Sheppard confirmed Townsend’s statement.

Swindon declined to say anything.

The bench committed prisoners for trial at the quarter sessions for the borough.