From the South Eastern Gazette 28 January 1851.

DOVER. PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY.

BRUTAL ASSAULT UPON A POLICEMAN WHILE IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTY.

Frederick W. Gillespy, and his son, W. E. Gillespy, were brought up, charged with having violently assaulted police-constable John Faith, while endeavouring to clear a public-house in Trevanion-street, called the "Three Mackerel." Faith appeared quite unable to stand, was accompanied with a chair within the bar. It appeared that Faith, on seeing the house above-named, which is kept by a person named Hobday, open between the hours of twelve and one o'clock on Sunday morning, went in, and saw the elder prisoner and a blacksmith just commencing to fight; he ordered them to desist, and advised them to go quietly home. Gillespy, sen., became very violent; a scruffle then ensued, in which the younger Gillespy joined, seizing Faith by the collar, and fixing his fingers firmly in his throat; the three went thus struggling through the passage into the street, when they fell; the policeman being nearly dead by strangulation. The hold of the throat was at length lost, and the constable drew his staff, but had no power to use it. While down, one of the prisoners kicked him tremendously in the side, and he was unmercifully beaten; his rattle was forced from him before he could use it; although his cries for help were continuous and his position so perilous, no one came to his assistance, although several persons witnessed the brutal affair. Some one at length begged him to "run away for his life," which he at length succeeded in doing, but minus his staff, rattle, hat, and handkerchief. Mrs. Hobday, the landlady, and Charles Marks, a man who draws a bath chair, were brought up as witnesses for the plaintiff, but evidence was reluctant and contradictory. Both prisoners were fully committed to take their trial at the next assizes, but bail was accepted for their appearance, each surety being bound in £20.