The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1879-11-04 00:00:00

VIOLENT ASSAULT ON • POLICEMAN.

At the County Petty Serious on Friday, Hash McCurdy,
a Royal Marine on board H.M.S. Reecadren, and possessing
one conduct badge, was charged on remand with a violent
assault on P.C. Cox. at Portland. on Monday night. The
magistrates present were: H. C. Goodden, Req., R. R.
Zllot, Rae, Oast Pretor, and Cot Redfield.
P.C. Con, who appeared with his head tendered. said be
was a police-constable dotioned at Portland. On Monday
last he accompanied P.C. Abrams to the Sailors Return,
to execute • warrant to apprehend Alexander Reston, a
Monne Artilleryman, o straggler front 11.1L8 Warrior.
They went to the inn and found him there. They were
all in the bar, and were about to take him in custody,
when the primes, oune in and said they should not take
him. Upon saying this be immediately took up a
spittoon and struck him several times shout to. heed and
face, causing a severe wound near Ma eye. Witness tried
to take the spittoon away from hint, bat weld not do on.
Soon afterwards Sent Paktum cams sad apprehended
him. (The strittoos eras hers prodoced and the witness
showed the B -nob bow the fellow used it He struck him,
he esid, with the keen edge). He had not been an duty,
bat he had been under the doctor ever since. Ths man
sloe struck him aware blow on the shoulder.
Pri•ciner : Didn't you come into the room sad strike me,
and didn't I pet up the spittoon to save myeelf from your
_ . .

-41Mem: No. I didn't take out my staff and I did not
strike you. I only tonabed one o( the marines on the
aboolder. I can't swear If It warn tam prisoner or not.
Tbere lame several.of UT" there.

--P.C. Abrams said on M.end.y last he was on duty at
Portland, in company with Police C..nstables C a end
PowelL He bad a warrant Li apprehend a merino artil-
hrrytnan from the Warrior. He found him at the Seilors'
Return. Hs had apprehended him and had handcuffed
one of his hands, when the prisoner came out of the
kitchen and cud they should not take the straitslra.
Witness said they should. He then took up the spittoon
which was in the her and struck C a several times woo
the bead and shoulders with it edgeway• He then went
back into the taproom again, and someone closed the
kitchen door, ',bash WIN between the taproom asid the
kitchen. The door was immediately afterwards burst
open and the prisoner and • number of his comrades
rushed into the bar where they were. The prisoner was
the first of the lot, and he again said they should not take
the artilleryman.
Ssraisant Feithain said the prisoner was then taken into
custody as well lid the marine. The wound on Cox's head
caused by the spittoon bled profusely and covered his
clothe'. Cm bat not &area his staff at all, neither did
witness, but Powell did. He used it upon the prisoner as
well as the rest. This, however, we. sitar the assault
He did not strike him before the assault Cox did not
strike hlin at •IL
. _

Mr. Supt. Batty produced Dr. McLean's certificate
tee'Drise to the inlurr which Cox had received.
A sergeant of marine. oft board the YID, ship said the
primiser Imre an exemplary character. He had k1:10WO
him personally only about Ibis. months, but he had been
In the army about six years.
The Chairman said it we. • most serious case, and the
Beach would not be dolma their duty anima they Mutimmd
the poi as whilat In the eXeCutiqa of their duty. He
would be fined £lO, or three months imprisonment with
hard labour.