Blandford, Wimborne and Poole Telegram. — 1879-05-16 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

VIOLENT ASSAULT.—AIfred Sherrol and Gcory; Legg were summoned by George Dicker for an assault.— Mr. Weston appeared for Legg.—Complainant said on Sunday night last he was on his way, between 10 and 11 at night, from Broadmayne home to Warmwell, when he overtook the two prisoners. Sherren said—" Mate, you are in a hurry," and complainant replied—" Yes, rather," and they walked on a few yards, when Sherren eaid—" Jacky Best is a pretty —; he don't keep men long." Witness replied— "l don't know that, man ;I think he do, for his ~room has lived with him some years." Defendant returned —"At any rate, his carter's going to leave him, for he can't plough " Witness replied—" I think he can plough, for 'I saw some straight work." Sherren answered—" You —, you hold with him" up fist,  and knocked complainant down. The latter got up, said " You silly fellow, why did you do that ?" when Sherren knocked him down again, and also a third time, and Legg knocked him a fourth time. They attacked him, when complainant said—" Don't smut me, for I'm living with a minister." One said— " That's the that goes to Chaldon, and tells tales to father." He was also struck several times after that, once in the head.—Defendant t-herren said complainant asked them where they lived, and what they did, and kept on niggling till they knocked him down.—Cross-examined by Mr. Weston: Had been at the Black Dog, and left al nut a quarter before 10, and had just come from his brother-in-law's, and had had two glasses of beer ; but never had been drunk for a week together. Did not think it was first a bit of a joke of Sherren's, and tried to run away through the hedge.—James Bites, Mr. Foster's gamekeeper, was on his beat ah nit 10 on the night of May 4th, and heard a man cry Help !" and "Murder," in the highway. Saw Dicker on his back, and came up to Sherren, who hail his jacket and waistcoat off. Asked what he was about, when he drew the stick across witness's head, who caught hold of him, and they fell. They got up, and Sherren drew a knife on him, when witness kicked him into the road, and be got up and ran away. Several people were standing about Dicker when witness got up.—Sherren: I never had a knife. —Witness: Oh, don't tell lies; why., the blade of it was that long (pointing to the middle of his hand).—Mr. Weston did not want to take advantage of Sherren'a being undefended, and pointed out that Dicker treated the matter as a joke, and he considered complainant had trumped up this charge. Dicker had had too much for him, and asked all manner of questions, which Sherren did not like, and struck him; but Legg did not. Mr. Best had engaged him (Mr. Weston) to defend Legg, as he was a highly respectable man. From drink or some other cause, Dicker's memory was very defective, and Mr. Weston urged that he was mistaken. Legg, in fact, took him by the collar, and tried to help him up; he therefore hoped they'd dismiss the case against Legg.—Sherren had been previously charged with stealing eggs and strawberries, but the charge was withdrawn.—The Bench considered this a most unprovoked and brutal assault, especially in the case of Sherren, who also drew his knife on the keeper ; Sherren was fined 403. and costs, and Legg 10s. and costs.—Sherren could not pay, £2 17s. 61, and was sent to prison for two months.