Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1902-10-31 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

MACK ON AN OLD MAN AT NELSON.  VIOLENT CONDUCT OF A SON-IN-LAW.  At the Nelson Police Court, on Saturday, before Dr. Jackson (in the chair) and other magistrates, Ernest S. Berry, barber, of Nelson, was charged with assaulting his father-in-law, Mr. Dixon, a gardener, who resides at 93, Netherfiehbroaid, Nelson. Mr. Charles Thornton, solicitor, appeared for defendant.  Complainant stated that the defendant lived at the Albert Arms, Leeds-road, Nelson. Defendant's wife, who is the daughter of compla:nant, resides with Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon said that. at half-past six on Friday night, the 17th inst., defendant came to•his house. Complainant was at home with his wife, defendant's wife, and de' fendant'a child. Defendant asked to see his wife and she went out to him. Witness heard them quarelling and heard something bang against the door. His (Mr. Dixon's) daughter then came in, followed by defendant. Complainant ordered him out, saving that he had no right in the house. Be said that when defendant, came in he came in like a wild fellow, and got his coat off. Defendant swore at complainant, who was nursing defendant's child. He gave the child to its mother, and told his own wife to go for a policeman. Berry afterwards rushed at complainant, who took up a chair to defend himself. Defendant. then went to the back door, locked it and put the key in his pocket. After that he came back and struck complainant over the eye and in the, mouth. Blood flowed from the wound over the eye, and a few teeth were loosened. Berry afterwards cleared out before the constable arrived. He locked the door behind him so that the constable was unable to gain an entrance. Complainant said that defendant ankl liii wife had been parted about seven month,.  Ann Dixon, wife of complainant, said that she could not. tell what happened in the house when she was out for the policeman, but she said that she heard defendant calling her husband all kinds of names. P.C. Lambert, who resides in Netherfleldroad, Nelson, stated that on the night in que.4 ion, about twenty minutes to seven, he was called to 93, Netherfield-road, by Mrs. Dixon. He went to the back door and heard screams of murder in the house, and also some very bad lanapage. A woman shouted, -He's going to kill us." Witness then went round to the front door, which was also locked. The door was, however, broken open, but defendant could not be found in the house. Complainant was completely exhausted ass.l a big lump had formed on his forehead. The lump looked to have been newly done, and blood was flowing from his mouth.  Mr. Thornton said that the old man himself was to blame in the case as defendant. had never said anything until complainant took up the poker. Mr. Thornton then placed defendant in the box, who said that he lived in Le:xis-road, Nelson. He went to the house at the time stated and asked to see Annie, his wife. She came to the door and he afterwards followed her into the house. Complainant was sitting near the fire with the child on his knee, and on seeing defendant, gave the child to Annie. He then took up the poker, upon which defendant got his coat off. Defendant denied having used any such language as was stated.  The bench retired for a few minutes, and on returning the Chairman said that. they were of opinion that defendant had committed a violent assault on an old man, and he would be fined 20s. and casts or ono month in default.