Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1874-05-30 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MURDEROUS OUTRAGE UPON A POLICEMAN. At the Stockton Ward Petty Sessions, on Wednesday, before Messrs Marthall Fowler, T. Hutchineon, T. W. Waldy, G. Lockwood, C. Trotter, E. G. Waltly, J. S. Sutton, and J. Richardson, four men, employed at the Carlton Ironworks, named Joseph Watson, John Lazenby, John Moore, and John Wray, were brought up under remand, charged with assaulting Police-constable Edward Keating whilst in the execution of his duty, at Bishoptou, on the 16th May inst. Mr Draper appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Skidmore, barrister, instructed by Messrs Fawcett, Garbutt, and Fawcett, defended the prisoners. Prosecutor, who had been confined to his house since the occurrence, appeared in court with his head bandaged up, and a crushed helmet, with a blood-stained overcoat were produced, being part of the clothing worn by him et the time of the assault. In opening the case, Mr Draper said that the complainant web a policeman stationed all alone by himself at Bishopton, and that the prisoners, with many others, were in the habit of going to Bishopton from Carlton Ironworks for various purposes. On Saturday, the 16th of May instant, the complainant went from his station at half-past ten o'clock to wake a tour of the village to see that all wan right. He saw the four prisoners come out of a public noose, and was positive as to their identity, having known them for some time. To show a motive for the crime which had been committed, he might state that John Moore had appeared 'Before the bench on a previous occasion, and also that Joseph Watson had been previously summoned by the complainant. After eleven o'clock, the policeman, hearing a noise at one end of the village, went to the place, and found a considerable nurelper of people assembled. Various remarks were male, and one named Callender, not yet in custody, wanted the officer to fight— a challenge which was declined. Then another enquired whether he was not afraid of bringing men from the works before the magistrates, to which the complainant replied that he was never afraid of doing his auty. The prisoner Moore then seized him by the legs, and this was the signal for an attack which is fully detailed in the evidence adduced. The charge was brought under the Act 34 and 35 Victoria an act for the more effectual prevention of crime, and under which a person who was convicted of assaulting a policeman in the execution of his duty, became liable to hard labour for a period not exceeding six calendar months. He called Edward lieatiag, who said : I am a police constable, and hey° been stationed at Bishopton twelve months next July. I have known all four of the prisoners since I went there—first by sight, and during the past four months by name. Moore lives in Bishopton, and the others at Carlton Ironwore.s. On Saturday, the 16th May, I left my station about half-past ten o'clock. I saw people leaving the public-houses, and I saw the four prisoners. 114 Jinn standing near the Churchyard, I saw a man named Callender, with two or three others, come out of a public-house. Callender was rather noisy, and in consequence of hearing a noise on the road to Whitton and Carlton, I went to the place. There were thirteen or fourteen men assembled, chaffing each other, and using such expressions as "Don't strike," "Don't hit," and such things. I went sight into the centre of them, when some one said, "Here comes the black parson !" A remark was made, "Let us stop. this coming to watch us again." I was then standing close to the wall. The four prisoners, with some others, came up to me. Calendar challenged me out to fight him for Is Gil or is, and I said I was not a fighter. Then some one offered to lend me Is Gd or Is if I had no money in my pocket. After that the prisoner Moore caught me by the legs, and asked the otherS to put me over the twall- I told him to remove his hands, and then hey said that 'if I did not promise to fetch any of them up again, they would dig a hole and put me in it. I said there would not be much in it if they succeeded in doing that, and :levieed them to go home, adding that they would think better of it in the morning. Callender then said I might bring them up for what had taken place that night. He put one arm round my neck, and took my helmet