Kentish Mercury 13 March 1852.

Manslaughter Ramsgate.

Henry Rigden, a fisherman, of King Street, Ramsgate, was charged with manslaughter of David Londes, also a fisherman.

Mr Barrow for the prosecution.

Alfred Lampier, a mariner, of Ramsgate, said he was in the market on the 6th of September, when the deceased and prisoner were both there - they had been drinking. Witness heard the prisoner say to his wife that she had been drinking gin along with Sondes, the deceased. Words then ensued between Sonds and the prisoner, and they fought, when Rigden struck the deceased under the ear, and he fell back, his head coming in contact with the stone. The deceased was assisted to Mr Goldsmiths shop, after which he was led home.

Examined by the prisoner:- You were struck by Sondes. Heard the deceased was out after the occurrence.

Richard Darby gave similar evidence, and that the prisoner seemed much irritated by his wife having drank gin with the deceased.

Cross examined by prisoner:- You helped to pick up the deceased.

By the Judge:- Heard the deceased was out afterwards, but I did not see him.

George Hobday said he lodged with Sondes, and on the 6th of September he found him lying insensible on a barrow, when he carried him over to the chemist. Shortly after he was able to walk home, and he went upstairs and threw himself on the bed. Next morning he got him a powder from Mr Pratt; he died on the 12th of that month, six days after the fight.

By the judge:- On the Wednesday after the occurrence, I went out with the deceased. We had some peppermint and water at the "Hope and Anchor" public house.

By the prisoner:- The deceased said he would play cards at the "Hope and Anchor," but he did not do so.

Mr Curling, surgeon, of Ramsgate, said that he attended the deceased on the following Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, as a patient of the dispensary, then Mr Webster did so. He found him in bed complaining of headache, but no marks were visible; if there had been a violent blow the marks would have been apparent. Death arose from effusion of blood on the brain, which might have been caused by the fall in the marketplace.

By the Judge:- The deceased going out with rather have occasioned the flow of blood to the brain.

Mr Webster, also a surgeon at Ramsgate, gave similar opinions.

The prisoner was not defended by counsel, and he offered nothing in defence, but he appeared to express regret at the untimely end of the deceased.

His Lordship in addressing the jury, said it appears that the prisoner and the deceased had not had any previous quarrel, but the former was irritated by his wife having taken gin with the deceased, which led to the fight. The learned judge then went through the evidence, and placed it favourably to the prisoner before the jury, but pointing out that if death was a occasioned through a fight, although there might not be any wilful intention on the part of the survivor, he would be guilty of manslaughter. If the jury had any reasonable doubt as to the cause of death, they would give the prisoner benefit of such doubt.

The jury without hesitation brought in a verdict of "Not guilty".

The prisoner thanked the court, on which his lordship, after directing his discharge, told the prisoner to take care and never engage himself in another fight.