The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1920-04-10 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

GRAVE CHARGE AGAINST POLICE OFFICER.  Joseph Williams w4summoned at the I Borough Police Court on Wednesday, before Mr. E. A. Beasley (in the chair) and Dr. A. C. E. Harris, for assaulting George McNiece, of 133, Paterson-street. Mr. Cecil Holden who appeared on behalf of McNiece, said that his client was a widower and had one child. Defendant (who is a police officer- of the borough). wit* his wife and child, had lodged with him during the past six months, one of the stipulations of the agreement between the two parties being that Mrs. Williams Should take care of complainant's child during the letter's absence at work. In view of the fact, that Mrs. Williams neglected the child and allowed it to run about barefoot, complainant gave them notice to quit. Since he issued the notice he had been the victim of violent threats and on Saturday evening, the 3rd inst., when sitting in a chair in his own sitting room, defendant came in, and after a few words knocked him to the floor. McNiece got up, but was knocked down again, and suddenly received a blow from some miss.t.le, which drew blond and necessitated three stitches being put in his head at the hospital. Complainant again got to hie feet, and said he was going to the hospital. After a certain amount of remonstrance defendant said that he would go with him and called at a house on the way. A certain Mr. Mclntyre was aroused, and defendant tried 'to make his victim confess to having done something of which he was innocent. When Mc.Nteee refused, defendant again knocked him down. George MoNiece stated that on Saturday. the 3rel inst., he was in his parlour reading a newspaper when defendant suddenly burst in, saying "I've been waiting for you, you —.', Witness answered, "I don't want any bother with you." Defendant thereupon knocked him flat'on his back with a blow on the chin. Witness got to his feet. but was knocked down again. Jumping up, he shouted "I am done for. Murder! Police!" Something then struck him on the back of the hesd. and he found himself lying on the floor again. He then declared his intention of going to the hospital. but defendant would not let him go and "gripped him with the useful way Dial: the police grip." At length, however, defendant allowed his face for , him, and on getting him outside said, , "You're under arrest." He then said, ' "We will call at 110. Exmouth-streets and see Mr. Mclntyre." Arriving at the latter place Mr. Mclntyre was aroused and defendant took off witness's cap and said, "Do,yon see anything the matter with this man's head." Mr. Mclntyre answered: "No!" Defendant then tried to make him admit that he had made allegations about Mclntyre. but he declined to do so, and thereupon Williams etruck him again, knocking him into the roadway. When witness again shouted "Policer' Williams led. Witness then went down to the main bridewell and reported the whole affair, and he and Sergeant Austin went down to witness's house and were admitted by defendant, who told the sergeant that the beginning of the trouble was that witness had " fired" a cup at him as he was passing the parlour door. MeNiece added 11P It was 1 eWO an • like the wolf d the lamb. De was trying to make me confess to having done things which I never did." it was also stated that Mclntyre wee shortly bringing an action for slander against MeNiece, in which P.C. Williams was one of his (Mclntyre's) witnesses. The magistrates found the CaSS proved and imposed a peniqty of £5, including costa, or 23 days imprisonnient.