Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1879-01-03 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

MORN GLASS WANTRD.—At the Borough Police Court on Friday, before Messrs. T. Abbott and B. Hopkins, Charles Gibbons, a private in the 30th Brigade Depot, was brought up in custody charged with being drunk and riotous, on the previous evening, and assaulting P.C. Cooper while in the execution of his duty, also with breaking four squares of glass at the Fisherman's Arms II:in--Charles Talbot, landlord of the Inn, said that the prisoner came into the taproom on the night in question very drunk. There were people in the room, and prisoner kept asking for beer, but he (the landlord) refused to fill him any, and he left the house, not before he had used abusive laand had eventually to be turned out of the housrle had no sooner been put out than he deliberately smashed three panes of glass with his list—one of which bore a fearful gash on the back. The damage would amount to 4s. Bd.—P.C. Cooper said he was sent for to apprehend the prisoner, who was completely covered with mud and blood, he was verydrunk and was cursing and swearing. He was very violent on the way to the station, and kicked himself and another officer several times on the legs. Prisoner had lain down in the road, which accounted for his present dirty appearance.—Mary Ann Chalker, sister of the landlord, who was present at her brother's house and saw the prisoner break the window with his fists, was called; and prisoner, on being asked what he had to say, pleaded drunkenness as an excuse, stating that he came from London, and had only been • soldier six weeks.—An officer who was present said that though the man had been in the service so short a time he had been in trouble no less than four or five times through drunkenness.—The Bench committed him to prison for 28 days' hard labour. A MIDNIGHT Swrm.—At the Borough Police Court on Saturday, before Messrs. Milledge, Lunclie, and Itobene, Samuel Tuck, a private of the 75th Royal Bengal Tigers, now stationed at Weymouth, was brought up in custody charged with attempting to commit suicide on the 27th inst. by jumping over the bridge into the river.—Samuel William Manley deposed that he was passing over the bridge from Melcombe Regis, on.th e evening in question, shortly after twelve o'clock at night, when, in company of a friend they found the prisoner with his coat off, on the middle of the bridge. On passing him, prisoner said "shake hands, as he was going to make a swim." At that time prisoner was leaning dyer the rails of the bridge. He was not drunk, but had evidently been taking beer. He persuaded him not to do such a rash thing, and privately sent for a policeman— meanwhile two men who were passing were asked to come to their assistance, but they panned on. Prisoner attempted twice to get over the railings into the water, but he (witness) and his friend prevented him, and before the policeman came he managed to get on to the buttresses of the bridge on the Melcombe Regis aide and so elided off into the water. He at once shouted that there was " a man overboard" and Police Constable Bullen corning up, went to his assistance, when he found that the prisoner was just struggling to get into a boat —P.C. Bonen said that he saw the prisoner struggling in the water and when he reached him he was attempting to get into the boat, but could not do so without some assistance.— Prisoner, who is but a very young man, on being called on to answer the charge, said he was a good swimmer, that he did not struggle in the water, and that what he had done was only in a lark, and that he never intended to drown himself.—The Bench said it was a very fool-hardy thing to do, and he should feel thankful that he was not drowned.—The Commanding Officer then came forward and gave the prisoner, who had only been in the regiment a year. an excellent oharacter, and the Bench taking this into consideration, called on the prisoner to enter into his own recognizances to keep the peace for the future, and with a severe caution, handed him over to the Military Authorities on his paying the costs, 65., which was afterwards paid by the sergeant of the gallant regiment. Bonorion Pours, Thursday.—Before Dr. Drew and Mr. J. E. R .bens. ASSAULTING A CAPTAlN.—Williarn O'Brian, an ablebodied seaman, on board the Emma, was brought up in custody charged with assaulting his captain, William Drew, and threatening his life.—Prosecutor's wife stated that on Tuesday evening last, in the absence of her husband, she heard some one making a great noise in the forecastle, and on going there found the prisoner was knocking things about, and, being very tipsy, he began to abuse her, and said he should have blood that night. He asked her for some money, as he was going on shore, and she gave him 51. ; but he was dissatisfied with it. The captain returning shortly afterwards, she informed him of what had taken place, and on his telling the prisoner that he ought not to be abusive and impertinent to his wife, he lifted his foot up and kicked the captain on the nose, making a fearful gash.—The captain having corroborated his wife's statement, the prisoner was fined 10i. and 6s. costs, or in default seven days' hard labour.—The fine was paid.