The Cannock Chase Examiner. — 1875-01-02 (Cannock, Staffordshire, England)

HILL.  John Kingston, miner, of King's Hill, was charged with assaulting David Hemmings, a shingler at the same place. Mr. Ebswortla appeared on behalf of defendant.  Complainant stated that between eleven and twelve o'clock on Saturday night he was returning home from Wednesbury, when he met amen named Davis, whose wife was in a fit. The man asked him and his friends to assist him, when defendant and two other men came up. Complainant suggested that a cab should be sent for from the Red Lion, and defendant said he would pay for it. After some words Davis and defendant commenced fighting, and his friends also set upon him. lie went away, but shortly afterwards heard a cry of "Murder," and some one exclaimed "Let's throw the b— into the reservoir." Complainant and his brother went towards them, and he, getting there first, got Davis from off defendant, telling the men at the same time that they were three cowardly fellows, whereupon they told him that they would serve him the same. Ha replied "If you will come one at a time you won't." Defendant then pulled his coat off, ran towards him and struck him with something on the eye. (A note was here prOduced from Mr. Walls, stating that complainant had a severe cut on the right eye, caused by some sharp instrument.) He got home as quickly as he cools, but when defendant struck him he called out "I'm stabbed." Mr. Wells was sent for, aud he dressed Iris wound, hsving to put three stitches in it, and it bled profusely. He had not up to the present got his sight back, and had been off work ever since.—Crossexamined by Mr. Ebsworth He could commence work in the morning if be was able. He was not ready and willing to fight when defendant pulled his coat off, our did he say that he could best all three of them. After the Maw was struck he did not s,:e anything in defendant's hand, and defendant said he had nothing in it. John Hemmings, brother of complainant, Samuel Davis, and Eli Hill gave corroborative evidence. Ebsworth said that to a certain extent he agreed with complainant, and that Davies began to fight with his client.  The Clerk : The luagistrates thiuk:it better to have the medical evidecco.  Ebswoiilh co-nt.ended it would only be a matter of opinion then. Neither a knife nor sharp instillment ha.' boon se.ox by any of the witm.sses, aml that wound had been simply produced by the sharp knackles of defendant, and thy could not call a man's fist a sharp in,finwinnit. Noon of the witnesses said an Maim.  Mayshall Bet look at the time. It was nearly midnivht. Mr. Ehlworth said if the Bench cousiderA it a ease of wounding there most be some evidence, whereas they had one at all. If the Desch wished to adjourn the case he should not oppose it. though defendant was only . .  unninoned for a eint;Mon assault. 11.• id not see that thore would by any chanee of conviction for unlawfully wounding, for the man had no opportunity of drawing a sharp instrument, :is he was engaged at the time in lighting other'. He had two witnesses who would lore distinctly that the man had nothing in his  Mr. Marshall: I don't see how they eon prove that. The Chairman : They could not positively see a, that time of the night. Mr. Ebsworth : I don't think IV3 shall disagree upon the facts, to rtnestion is whether he used a knife or not.  The Chairman to complainant: You should have been examined by a doctor. Complainant: My relatives sent to the nearest place they could.  the sage was then adjourned for a fortnight iu rder that Mr. Wolls might attend.