The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1878-08-31 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

AMAULT.—A young man, named Edward Quirk, was ciarged with being cl, unk and disorderly, and assaulting Mary and Mary Jane Soholes, who live in No. 82 Court, Market-street. P.C.11 B. produced a most formidable weapon in the shape of a carving knife in court, and said that when he arrested the prisoner he took it out of his hand. He did not attempt to do anything to him with the knife, nor did he see him do anything to anyone elect. Mary Jane Soholes said the prisoner 'tried to kill everybody with the knife ; " and the offioar only came up when the prisoner jraN on the ground, and a number of people were trying to get the knife from him. She did not see a woman strike the prisoner with a jug or a basin, out she heard screams of "murder." These screams prooeeded from herself. (Laughter.) Witness was quarrelling with the prisoner, and he ran into his own house saying he would bring out a knife. When she saw him with it she ran into her house and the prisoner followed. He aimed a blow for her and he struck the door. Mr. Samuel' and Mr. Thompson, who appeared for the prisoner, failed to see, however, that if the witness went into the house and shut the door, she could see the prisoner aim a blow for her or even strike the door. Mr. Samuel] said the witness prevaricated, and he could not take her evident*. Mary Soholes, the mother-in-law of the previous witness, spoke to the prisoner brandishing the knife; and one witness, named Evans, nailed for the prosecution, said the prisoner hit him on the back with it, and also cut his leg purposely. Mr. Thompson's answer to the charge was that the prisoner had his windows bro. k n, and when he Came out a number of young men and young women set upon him, got him down, and ill-used him. One of them struck him on the head with a jug. Prisoner did get a knife, but he had no intention of doing anyone any harm. Prisoner was put down, Mr. Superintendent Clarke saying the wound on Evan's leg was serious, and he would get medical testimony from the hospital. On the case being again called Mr. Clarke said that the woman Mary hate Soholes Lad received a hit on the hand, but elle had not mentioned anythir g about it in her evidence, as she was afraid of farther violence being  used to her, and she had now gone away. A dootor from the hospital said that Mary Jane Soholes, when brought to the hospital, had & wound on her hand evidently caused by a knife, and Mary &hole*, her mother-in-law, had several injuries on her hands. She had been bitten. Mr. Thompson called evidenoe as to the previous good character of the prisoner. Mr. Samuell said prisoner ought to think himself lucky that he was not standing in the dock charged with manslaughter or murder. This case showed the danger of a man like the prisoner taking drink and getting hold of a frightful weapon like the one in question. It seemed to him a marvel that somebody had not been killed, and there was a doubt in his mind as to whether or not he should send him for trial. However, considering that he was not an habitual tironkard, and not given to offenoes like this, he would give him the option of paying a fine. He must pay 80s. and wets or go to prison for six weeks with hard labour.