The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-01-16 00:00:00

ASSAULT.

Richard Gill was enmmoned for assaulting George
Ansopp, at ponennook, on Januory loci.—Mr. M. C.
Weston appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. A. H.
Lock defende4.—George A.ltopp wild he was lead
etewari to the Earl of Sandwich, and resided at Gray'e
Farm, in the perish of Powerstock. On January 2nl
he was on the railway embankment between
Witherston and Toiler. There were some drainage
works going on there, and wanes was there for the
purpon of inspecting them. Re had known the
defendant for five years, be is • packer in the employ
of the G.W. Railway, and be had often given him
cider and rabbits. There were other men with the
defendant, and they were engsced in packing the line.
When winless came in eight they cooed work, and
when he got near, the three others continued their
work, leering defendant alone by the aide of the rails.
When witness got within six feet of him, defendant
asked him if he knew be was trespassing. He replied
"I do." Defendant than said "If you are not twill
soon make you, you rogue." This surprised him
very mach, and he laid his head on his shoulder, and
raid° Dick, be careful whit you are saying." Defend.
ant pushed his hand off, with other bad language.
Witmer pointed to the head winger, Smith, and
said "That', the men who ought to order me off the
line." Gill then said "if Smith is afraid of you, I'm
not you—rogue." Defendant was in a very excited
state at the time, and picked up a "best.," and
threatened to knock • hole thrtugh him. He celled
him • rogue and • hone it wler, and witness again put
his nand on his shoulder, said" Dick if you don't be
careful, I'll have you locked up," and then hit him a
violent blow in the fan with his file The blow
stunned him for • abort time, and he bled impiously
from the noes. When he recovered, he saw defendant
was in the act of striking him agile. Hs rammed
his head Into hie stomach, put his arms round his
body, and they both rolled down the bank together.
He (witness) was underneath when they got to the
bottom. He fell with hie head over the wire tepee,
and defendant held him there. One of the other men
called out "Dick, don't do that," and he released his
hold. Witham got free from him by greet effort, and
defendant said if he "hal not had enough he would
give him some more." He continued to use bad
language. Witness went to Toiler and reported the
' case to P.C. Collies. He (witness) was covered with
blood.—Witnete was creeens =ins I by Mr. Lock for
the purpose of showing he, too, was very much
excited, and that the essault was c nmenced by the
prcreicuton—Complainant, however, strongly &Merl
that betook the Initiative. Defend int appeared in Court
with plaster on hie eye, but compliiiient sail he had
seen him several times since the assault, and he hal
not had the piaster on till this morning—Defendant,
however, said he conid prove he ha I bad the plaster
on before, and that he hal • black eye.—P.O. Collins
proved defendant come to him covered with blood,
and made • report to him of an anault, committed by
the man GilL —Mr. Look, for the defence, • ii:l it was
the duty of gangers t orler all persons off the llne,
and they had received fregh orders to that effect. He
was Insume tad the complainant came up in a violent
temper, and. In fact, struck the firet blow, and that •
fight ensued. —Thomas Sm:th ssid he was heal ganger
In the employ of the 11.W.R., and had been so 25
years. Gill had worked under him about 20 yew..
It was part of their duty to order pennies off the line.
When the assault was committed witness was about
25 yards in front of them. He saw the struggle going
on, and he at once went hank. They had ea+ other
by the collar. and in the a'reggle both men fell down
the beak together. Gill had blood running down his
face. Allaopp was using very had language, calling
defendant a rogue and • scamp, and thnat. n .1 to '4..4
him off the lie, When they rolled down tn. Ittedc.
witneee ordered them to demist ; they o tro no the
bank together. Allapp then went tow Tolley%
and afterwards he CM' hark agafn no th • lice, and
again threatened Gill...Croas-examined by tit. West in:
He did not see the counnencetnent of the row. Ile had
never ordered complainant off before, hut th.e now had
very strict order.. When complainant w ie cons;n: he did
not hear defeedant say "liar.'. Alienist, coming,
pitch into him." They hid all received two rahhite
apiece from his lordship, al mull —Alfrei 'vine
Inspector of the permanent way between Bridport and
Portland, said the men had bad strict orders to
keep people off the line. He saw complainant at
Dorchester station, and he told him of the anault. He
also saw Gill, and he had • blow on the face end a
black eye. A report bad been made of the affair to
the company, and had there been time there was no
doubt the defendant would hare been defended by the
compsny. As it was, it was very probable a charged
trespass would be brought against Mr. Alleopp.—The
Bench Ind no hesitation in convicting, and the defend-
ant was fined El and costs.