PETERSFIELD
PETTY SESSIONS, Town Hall, July 10th.—Magistrates present—Hon. J. J. Carnegie, T. H. Waddington, and J. Waddington, Esqrs.
— John Hall, was charged with assaulting George Stenning. Complainant said he was odd boy to Mr. Allan, of Priorsdean; on the 4th day of July, because I did not shut off three horses as soon as he did, he struck me with his fist and knocked me down, and beat me across the head with the plough reins, Richard Stenning sworn: l am the father of the boy; on the 4th of July he came home much beat about, and two places on his head as big as hens, eggs. Fined 1s. and 7s. 6d. costs.
— A JOLLY JACK TAR. —John Jones was charged by P.C. Smith with being drunk and incapable. It appeared that Jack was on a trip to London for two days, but having shipped too much rum, was turned out of the train at the Petersfield Station, and was found by the constable, who locked him up for the night, in a state of jovial inability. Fined 5s. and discharged.
— P.C. Smith charged George Hall, chimney sweep, with being drunk in the Square, Petersfield, at half-past 7 on the evening of the 27th of June, and making a great disturbance. The case was proved and defendant fined 5s. The case was proved and defendant fined 5s.
— STEALING A FAGGOT.—P.C. Painter, 174, charged Harriett Guy with stealing one faggot, the property of Mr. Henry Boys, of Horn Farm, and said: I was at the Union Workhouse at 5 o’clock on the evening of the 27th of June, and saw Harriett Guy in a field in the occupation of Mr. Vinson, coming towards the road, with a faggot in her arms, from the direction of Mr. Boys’ field; there was no footpath. I met her at the gate, took possession of the wood, and summoned her. The prisoner acknowledged taking the wood and said that she did it from want; that her husband had been a long time out of work. She was paying 2s. a week rent, and had five children, daughters, at home earning nothing. The case was not pressed by Mr. Boys, who did not wish for a severe punishment, and the Bench sentenced her to 48 hours’ imprisonment at the Station-house, in the lock-up.
— A DRUNKEN RIOT.— Mark Hobbs, George Hobbs, and Thomas Hobbs (father and sons), John Soul and James Soul (brothers), were charged with drunken and riotous conduct. P.C. Painter on being sworn, said: I was duty on Saturday night, the 7th July, between half-past 11 and 12 o’clock; I was at the bottom of Dragon-street, and heard a great noise towards the Square; on going there I found that it was at the Swan corner. I saw John Soul and Thomas Hobbs fighting, James Soul and George Hobbs acting as seconds, and Mark Hobbs lying across the pavement, close to Mr. Mould’s door, very drunk, and his face covered with blood. After I stopped the fighting, I took Mark Hobbs by the right arm, who looked up and said, you ⎯⎯ let me alone. He got up and staggered along the back lane. Mr. Mould sworn, said: I went to bed at 11; heard a great noise in the street, looked out of the window, and saw somebody knock Mark Hobbs down. I then came down, saw Hobbs on the ground, and put him on the pavement; there were a great many about, and much swearing; he appeared drunk, and his face was bloody. Mark Hobbs hereupon (in a rare style of eloquence) addressed the Chairman, and said, ‟I did not get up, yer Honor, because a boy with a burnt finger dreads a thing loick that. I thought, yer Honor. If—doan’t you zee—if I got up, I should be sarved the thing again. As to being drunk, I was no ways, yer Honor.” Mr. W. Richardson said: I was in my own house about 11; I was not gone to bed; after some time I went out; I was afraid something would happen: I met P.C. Painter close at hand; I saw him separate the men fighting—push one oneway, and one the other. I saw George Hobbs; I did not know the other; Mark Hobbs was lying on the pavement; the men had their clothes off. The Chairman, having enquired if the prisoners had any witnesses to produce, John Soul at once declined and Mark Hobbs said ‟I have, yer Honor (at the same time giving a salute with the right handover the left black eye.) ?? the old woman (meaning his wife) being at hand. I borrowed twopence: I didn’t get drunk for twopence. (Illegible)