Widnes Examiner. — 1892-09-24 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

STRUGGLE.  On Monday, at Runcorn Petty Sessions, before Messrs. J. Brund rit and C. Reynolds, Charles Stubbs, sen., Charles Stubbs, jun., and William Stubbs, were charged on remand with unlawfully taking and destroying 15 rabbits on land belonging to Sir Richard Marcus Brooke, Bart., at 11.30 on Friday night, at Stockham. They were also charged with assaultiag William Knight and George Rigby, gamekeepers. Mr. E. Wynne Humphreys prosecuted. The prisoners admitted the offence with regard to poaching. Mr. Humphreys, in stating the case, said so long as the prisoners had admitted one offence he would briefly put before the Bench the facts and then call evidence in proof of the assault. About 11.30 on Friday night six keepers of Sir Richard Marcus Brooke, Bart., were on duty hi Gorse Wood, near Stockhain. It was a starry night, and they saw the three prisoners and four other; coming along setting nets. The keepers left their hidingplace, and on being seen the men called out, "Heigh, up, chaps, come on," which was followed by a shower of stones, and when they closed in sticks were freely used. Rigby got his arm badly hurt and Knight received a severe cut on the head, as well as an injury by a stone on the arm. Another keeper named Jones was also cut about the hands and hit upon the breast. He suggested, however, that they be only charged with assaulting Knight and Rigby. Without exception the men had implements upon them. they had all sticks and close by were found 15 rabbits in swarm condition showing that they had been recently killed. With regard to the assault, although William Stubbs did the actual violence, the law held that inasmuch as they all took part in the affray they were guilty of the assault. The other four or five men got away. When the prisoners were brought to the Police Statien, and charged with the offence, they made no remark. Stubbs, sen., had a stone in his pocket, and the sons too. He asked the Bench to inflict such a penalty, if the case were proved, that would deter the men before thein,as well as others, from again committing such an offence. George Rigby. gamekeeper, deposed that on Friday night, at 11.30, he and five other keepers were engaged in Gorse Wood, when they saw seven or eight men setting nets. On leaving their hiding-place the men pelted diem with stones, and on getting into close quarters they struck them with sticks. His arm was badly hruised. William Knight gave corroborative evidence,and stated that William Stubbs struck him on the head with a stick thereby causing a severe wound which had been attended.—By the elder prisoner: They were not the ground together for ten minutes. He did not ask for mercy, nor did he scream murder, nmi did he beg of them not to kill him.  Albert West stated that whilst putting the handcuffs on Charles Stubbs, his son William came up and struck him across the head and shoulders. The father threw a stone at him, after which they closed, fell down together and strunled for some time. In answer to the charge, Charles Stubbs, seri., said hs he Iliad been half kilkal, and ha contended that the keepers were the first to commence the fight. He was very sorry, and asked for lenient treatment. Charles Stubbs, junior. 6ta ted that he had never hit anyone, but was hit himself. William Stubbs asked the Bench to be merciful.  • The two Charles Stubbs were each fined ttas. and 7s. 6d. ccsts, or one nvintlC3 impri3onment for the poaching offence; and a fine of 4.05. and 6s. costs each was imposed for the assault, or a further term of a month's!nearceration. The implements seized were to be confiscated.  Another terrible disaster has occurred at Shreve, Ohin, a passenger and goods train coming into collision, with the result that nine persons were killed and five injured. The British brig Ephratah has gone ashore at Adicora and is a total loss. The crew have been landed at Curacoa. It is feared that the Liverpool barque Royal Arch. from Cardiff for Buenos Ayres, has been lost with all on board.  Tim F 11181: