From the East Kent Times and Mail, Thursday, 18 Oct, 1888.

WHICH WAS THE WORST?

John Pritchard was summoned at the instance of his wife, Charlotte Pritchard, for assaulting her on the 12th inst.

The Chairman asked the parties to go out of Court and endeavour to settle the matter, but the complainant emphatically refused to take this coarse.

Complainant then deposed that on the evening of the day in question she went into the private bar of the "Shipwright's Arms" public house for a glass of beer. Her husband was in the other compartment and said "Here's your Johnny" (meaning himself). She made some reply to him and he threw a quantity of beer over her "spoiling her clothes." She then went round into the other compartment and her husband went into the taproom. She followed him in and he attempted to strike her with a chair, but was prevented. Witness then left the room and defendant came after her and pushed her violently on to the ground, the effects of which produced the marks on her face.

Defendant (interrupting) said complainant was drunk and could not stand.

Witness (continuing) said defendant afterwards caught hold of her by the neck and ran her home.

Defendant:- To prevent you from being locked up.

Complainant also said the lived in the same house as her husband but earned her own living as “working housekeeper.”

In reply to defendant complainant said she was quite sober. She also denied that the landlady at the public-house refused to serve her with drink.

Complainant, in reply to the Bench, said she had only one witness, a man named White, who picked her up after defendant knocked her down; but he failed to pot in an appearance.

Defendant then asked for an adjournment to allow him to obtain witnesses to prove that he did not commit the assault, and the Bench finally adjourned the case till next Monday.

From the East Kent Times and Mail, Thursday, 25 Oct, 1888.

THE ADJOURNED ASSAULT CASE DISMISSED.

John Pritchard, who had been summoned for assaulting his wife on the previous Monday, and then obtained an adjournment to allow him to obtain witnesses, now appeared, and in answer to the Bench said his witnesses were in Court.

Mr. T. T. Whitehead now appealed for complainant, and said if the Bench convicted defendant he should apply for a separation order.

The witnesses were ordered out of Court.

The Clerk read over the evidence given by complainant last week and defendant then called Walter Fenwick, landlord of the "Shipwrights' Arms" public-house, where the alleged assault took place, and he deposed that on the evening of the 12th inst., both complainant and defendant were in his house. Witness heard "jangling" at the bar, and on coming out saw defendant and his wife in the public bar. Defendant banged the door to and his wife fell over some matting on to her face, he (defendant) did not strike her. Complainant was not sober.

By the Chairman:- I can swear defendant did not strike complainant.

In reply to Mr. Whitehead, witness said defendant was perfectly sober.

William Goldsmith was also called by defendant, and he clearly proved that defendant did not assault his wife and also that she gave great provocation.

The Bench, after a short consideration, dismissed the summons.