The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1881-01-01 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

VIOLENT DRUNKARD. Joln Ryan was charged with assaulting P.C. Shearwood in the execution of his duty, at Cleveland-street, on Saturday, Nov. 20. Mr. Thompson defended the prisoner. P.C. Shearwood said that on the day in question he went to Chapel-street, and a woman told him to go into Cleveland-street. He went there, and got there in time to see prisoner knock down the nephew of the woman in Chapel-street. Prisoner's wife and several other women hustled the man across to the Duke of Edinburgh. Witness took hold of Ryan and asked his name. He replied, "What do you want my name for ?" Witness said to him, "You are drunk and have been fighting, and have broken a window in Chapel-street." Prisoner's wife advised him not to give his name, though witness told him he would have to lock him up if he did not. He took prisoner to the opposite street corner, where, after some farther conversation, in which the prisoner declared with oaths that he would not allow himself to be taken, prisoner began struggling and kicking. Some volunteers in uniform and reporter came to witness's assistance, when prisoner became quieter, but when they had gone prisoner again struggled and got him down. There were several people there, but none of them would assist him. The women ultimately got the prisoner away.. Witness made enquiry about him, and apprehended him at Dundalk in Ireland.—Crussexamined by Mr. Thompson: He did not see prisoner standing at his own door. Ryan did not ask him what he apprehended him for. Robert Halliwell, a lad about 12, stated that he saw prisoner break two windows in Chapelstreet, and also what took place with the policeconstable.  A man named Richards, living in Clevelandstreet, said that being attracted by a noise and cry of " murder " he went out of his house and found a great crowd, in the middle of which there were two men on the ground. He took the uppermost man by the ears, lifted him right up and slowed him round off the other man. He then saw that the undermost man was a constable, and he picked him up and took him into his house. He seemed very much hurt, almost like a dead man. Dr. Jennett stated that he was sent for to see the constable, who was in great pain, and a good deal bruised. It was five days before he could return to duty. Mr. Thompson, in defence, said that according to the evidence the officer attempted to take the prisoner to where he had broken I the window, and that therefore be must have been taken into custody for breaking the I window. It was the officer's duty to summon the man, as he had known him by sight for some time. He called Jane Clinch, living in Somerville-street, who said that on the day in question she saw the prisoner fighting with three men in Clevelandstreet. She took him away and was taking him home when the officer came up, took prisoner by the collar pulled him by the whiskers, and made his nose bleed. He dragged the prisoner into Cleveland-street, and tried to push him through a baker's window. The officer also kicked the prisoner. They struggled and fell, and John Ryan then got away. By the Bench: The prisoner did not strike or kick the constable. By complainant : She did not strike the policeman herself. Charlotte Pegler, 17, Brook-street, said that she saw the constable and prisoner together, and heard the prisoner say he would go quietly if the constable would let him go. The magistrate entirely exonerated the officer from all blame, and said he was quite justified in apprehending the prisoner. Police officers must be upheld when doing their duty properly. He sentenced the prisoner to three months' hard labour.