PETERSFIELD
Agent—Mr. G. DUPLOCK
MAGISTRATES’ CLERK’S OFFICE.—Wednesday. Before Hon. J. J. Carnegie and J. Waddington, Esq.
— Thos. Hayward, a discharged soldier, was brought up on remand, charged with wilful damage. It appeared from the evidence of James Stent, a shoemaker, living at Liphook, that on Monday evening, about seven o’clock, prisoner deliberately broke a pane of glass in his (witness’s) window, and at once gave himself up, stating that he had done it for the purpose of getting a night’s lodging and some food, as he was quite destitute. Sentenced to ten days’ imprisonment, with hard labour.
— Richard Horton and Joseph Onsworth bricklayers, employed at the railway bridge, Petersfield, were brought up on remand, charged with assaulting P.C. Henry Elderfield in the execution of his duty on Monday last. Elderfield deposed: About three o’clock on Monday afternoon I was sent for to go to Lillywhite’s beer shop. P.C. Rolfe accompanied me. On entering the front door, I saw the two prisoners with several others. There was a great disturbance, and Mrs. Lillywhite came forward and requested me to clear the house. I told Horton to leave, and he refused to do so. When I attempted to to put him out Onsworth took hold of him with one hand and tried to pull him from me, and with the other hand struck me several times. Horton also struck me and kicked me violently. Rolfe came to my assistance, and I was compelled to draw my staff. We succeeded in handcuffing Onsworth. Horton then ran into an adjoining meadow. I followed and overtook him, and after another violent struggle, in which I was again compelled to draw my staff, I succeeded, with Rolfe’s assistance, in securing him, and we lodged them both in the lock-up at the station. Mrs. Lillywhite and P.C. Rolfe gave corroborative evidence. Prisoners both denied having struck the constable, but admitted there was a disturbance, and Onsworth expressed his regret, and pleaded to be dealt leniently with, on the ground of his wife’s illness, stating that he had never been locked up before in his life, and would take care that this should be a warning to him for the future. Fined 1l. each and 8s. costs.