The Manchester Examiner. — 1848-01-01 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

CHARGE OF AS-SAULT AGAINST A COUNTY POLICE OFFICEIL—At the Rochdale petty SCSSMiis, on Wednesday last, before Messrs William Chadwick and George Ashworth, County-police-constable. Duncan Grant was charged with having, about eleven o'clock on Saturday evening last, assaulted Amos Kent, a silk-weaver, about 27 years of age, resident at Barruwhelds, yiddletun, under the following circumstances. Mr. Harris, solicitor, appeared on behalf of complainant; and Mr. k owler, superintendent of the county police, appeared on behalf of defendant. The bearing of the Case occupied the court about one hour. .Tho complaiolant stated that about eight o'clock on Saturday evening lust, lie, along with about halls-dozen glee singers, went to the Ashton Arms public-house Market Place, Middleton, where they had. sumo drink, and were also treated with a half-a-crown's worth of gm and ale, for singing Christmas pieces and a number of glees. About eleven oo'clock, the landlady s daughter requested the company to leave the house, owing to her mother being sick in bed; on the company going to the dour, complainant had some words with James Kent, of Little Green, Chadderton, during which time the police officer came up, got hold of the complainant,saying he must go with him te the station; he refused, gave his name, and said he had done nothing, and he would not go to the luck-ups, upon which the officer began to drag him; he also struck him over ,the head, and both struggled on the ground until complainant at last Made his escape. Ula Momday morning, he, and two of his companions went to Thomas Ashton, Esq. magistrate, who told ' them to go to Rochdale and obtain a summons against the police officer. Witness had not been advised to get a summons by any person to save himself and companions being summoned. He was not at home on Senility when the police officer came to his lodgings or house. Matthew Baniford,James Kent, and anotherof the party corroborated the above evidence, and declared positively they did not rescue complainant from the custody of the police. Mr. Fowler, in defence of the officer, bah' that Grant had made a report of the camoluct of the complainant and two. others, Bamford and Staiosfield, who had rescued Amos Kent from the policeman; they hail Soto beaten and kicked him severely over the head, making two large holes in his bat. The party had also been quarrelsome in the pitulic-huuse ; the daughter of the landlady had been summoned to appear on Is hall of the defendant but she reiused to attend. Martha Rebut, a young woman, icing sworn, said that about half-past eleven o'clock on Saturday eveuing last, she was returning home from a religious, or Sunday-school tea party. On arriving near the Mioldletou Hall Mill, she beard screams of murder and help. Oli going to mod a hen near Providence -Chapel, about 150 yards from the Mark.et Place, she met two met', runeing as test as they could, saying we have given it to yonder devil, he will meddle with us no more. She also met the police officer, without hat, pursuing them. He was in sight of them. I asked if they had been abusing him. He replied they bud.— Did she know them? She did not, she was afraid herself.— By Mr. Harris: bbe del not know the men The policeman was not far from them, and was a most breathless. He certainly was much agit tel —County Police Sergeant Jackson stated, that the policeman Made a revert-of it at the time. He was trying too bud wit their names on :+unolay, intending to SUMMON them. He had also been to the public house alluded to above, and the landlady's otauOtter toll him she did not know the party, but that they had 1,-iii in quarrelsome in the house, they had driven respectable company away. He bad Leen to her since, and hit summoned her to give evidence, I ut now she declined to interfere on account of some of them being customers. The magistrates said they shout.' like to hear the evidence ol the landlady a daughter, and if she agniu refused to attend, is %tumult must be granted to compel her. The magistrates said the ease was of great imporutnce, both with respect to the puliceadtieer and also complainant lied his party. He (Mr. Fowler) must 'mike particular inquiry into the stub-. aa.ol the case MUst to Monday next. The cornpliant Kent produced testimonials of his character; however, affair stands a tiourned. and theft, who gave evidenee to-day ail/ MA bate occasion to attend.