The Potteries Examiner : — 1878-08-03 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

THE SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST  POLICEMEN.  At the Stipendiary's Conrt, Tunstall, before H. C. Greenwood and W. Adams, &qrs., Charles Brady was charged, on remand from the previous week, with being drunk and disorderly on the 23rd alt.—Mr. Tennant prosecuted on behalf of the polka', end Mr. Aekrill defended.—Mr. Tennant, in opening the case, said he was sorry, on behalf of the Superintendent ef Police at Tunstall, that he was compelled to bring this charge before their worships, bemuse the defendant, who is a surgeon in Tunstall, and has considerable practice, and is in good circumstances, as well 0,1 'being a member of the Local Board. He briefly referred to the facts of the ease, and called the first witness, Superinter,dent Marston, who said he rentembered the evening of the Wed ult. Dr. Brady us brought to the police office by P.C. O'Brian, about half -past eleven o'clock. There were also present, P.C.'s Ewins and Critchlow. P.C. O'Brian entered a charge of drunk and disorderly against the doctor. Witness had not seen the doctor before he came to the offi,.—Crosaesamined by Mr. Aekrill • Witness had done nothing to defendant whilst in the police station to make him sober before he was bailed out. Defendant was not let out in about half an hour after being locked up because it ~,0 found he was sober. He knew the doctor was drunk, but he did not know whether he woo excited or not. Witness did not hear the doctor say if any one squirted at him, he would strike them.—P.C. O'Brian said on the earning named, be woo on duty in the Market-square. and saw a disturbance close to the Sneters Arms Hotel, about twenty minutes past eleven. Witness saw the doctor with his coat partly off and he was held by two persons that were with him. Witness told him to go home several times, but he placed himself in a fighting attitude, and witness did everything he could to persuade defendant to start home, hut he would not. Witness dragged the doctor some distance towards his house.—By Mr. Ackrill Defendant had not complained to witness about the " squirts."—P.C. Evans spoke to seeing Dr. Brady in the custody of O'Brian.—By Mr. Ackrill : Witness could tell a man when drunk. The doctor could not get his words out properly. A number of other witnesses were called, who corroborated the evidence of the polite.—Mr. Ackrill addressed the Bench for the defence, and Rohl if the charge bad been ore for murder the police could not have got up a stronger case than they had with the one that was placed before their Worships against bis client. One of the witnesses had told them that he dragged the Doctor, which would undoubtedly have excited anyone who was of a mild temper.—Mr. Bennett, a member of the Local Board, said be hod known de poctor about twenty years, and now him within an bone of the time ! when he was locked up, and he was perfectly sober.— Mr. Beech, manufacturer, gave similar evidence.—Dr. Hales, of Burslem, said be was with the Doctor that evening, and met him about nine o clock, near the SneyiTs Arms, where they adjourned. The Doctor was not drunk, but was excited. Witness bad known Dr. Bendy for twenty years, and bad been on visiting terms with him during that period. He did not know what Brady had been drinking in the hotel. Witness saw hire with soda water ;.and bad be (witness) been drink. in.. it, be would have put some gin in it. (L:iughter Witness saw Brady taken into custody, and be asked the policemen to let defendant go home. The police told witness if he did not go away be would also be locked op. The Bench said they believed the statement of Dr. Hales that ilefeudant was excited, which was caused throngh defendant baying had drink, and being anmoved. He had on this occasion allowed his temper to get the better of his judgment. If he would pay the costs they would allow the case to be withdrawn—Mr. Aekrill said they would not pay costs, but would make an fIM,