The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-04-01 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ASSAULTING THE POLICE.  THE POLICE AND PUBLIC.  At the Borough Police Court, on Monday, James Shaw, 28, Frederick-street, was summoned by John Coxall (P.C. 44) for violently assaulting him on Friday night. There was also a cross summons for assault, but both cases were taken in one.  Coxall said he was on duty at the end of Frederick-street on Friday at midnight, when he heard screams of "Police, murder,' coming from Shaw's house. He went into the house and saw Shaw at the top of the stairs beating his wife. Shaw then rushed at him and kicked him twice, telling him if he would not go out he (Shaw) would kick him out. They then closed and rolled down the stairs together. Shaw bolted as soon as he got to his feet and the officer went after him into the yard, where he climbed the wall. The officer seized him by the coat which gave way, and Shaw fell into the next yard. Cexall then went out of Shaw's into the next yard, when they struggled till Shaw got away through the house and out into the street. Cross-examined by Mr. Thompson: He didn't kick the back door of Wood's house open ;it gave way with the struggling they had in the yard. He did not draw his trimaheon till Shaw entered the house, and he drew it then because he did not know whether Shaw might not spring on him in the dark. He could swear he never hit Shaw, nor did he follow Shaw to the hospital. Mrs. Dooley, 324, Frederick-street, said she heard women screaming in Shaw's house, and then saw the officer go into it. In a minute or so she heard a great thump like someone tumbling downstairs. The screaming had gone on for about twenty minutes when the officer arrived, but it ceased when he entered the house. She heard Shaw tell the officer to clear out.  Shaw said that last Friday night he returned from his father's house at 11.45, and his wife got " a-gate " of him for being so late. She then said she'd go downstairs to her aunt, as she was vexed with him. He wouldn't let her, but he used no violence— only held her back. There were no cries at all in the house. The officer then came up, and Shaw asked him what brought him there and who sent for him. He told the officer to go out, but the latter sprang at him and got him by the throat. They struggled for a little, and Coxall then threw him downstairs. Then he ran into Wood's house next door, and the officer followed him and hit on the head with his baton. Shaw shouted "Murder !" and Woods came down. The officer then walked out through the front door.  Woods was called and said he heard Shaw shouting "murder," so he came down stairs and said "Jemmy, what's up." Shaw replied "the bobby's here and he's murdering me."— Shaw was bleeding very much.—They sent for his father, who, with Woods, took him to the hospital. Dr. Richardson was also called and he said it would be almost impossible that a baton could have caused the wound he dressed on Shaw's head.  _ Mrs. Shaw said her husband had never illused her and she never had occasion to call "murder."—Her husband was not drunk.— He had only hold of her by the shoulder. Mr. Moore, who appeared for P.C. Coxall, called Inspector Parker, who had seen Coxall at 10.11 p.m., 12.55 p.m., 4.50 a.m., and 6.30 a.m., and he was perfectly sober all the time. —He had been five years in the force. Mr. Preston said he was glad to find the wound on Shaw's head had not been caused by a truncheon.—He was always ready to afford any complaint against the police a full hearing.—He was of opinion that Coxall had only been doing his duty, and he dismissed the summons against him.—As the assault on Coxall had been but slight he would fine Shaw 108. and costs or seven days.  Mr. A. E. Cooke, proprietor of the Royal Circus, Liverpool, will give three grand Ptes and galas at the Agricultural Sho N Grounds, Birkenhead, on Good Friday, Saturday, and Baster Monday.