1892 - Penarth Police Court - Charge of Drunkenness Against a Shipwright - 'Alfred Hill, shipwright, was charged by P.C. Thomas Ford (327) with being drunk and disorderly in Maughan-terrace, Penarth, on the evening of Christmas Day. Mr T. H. Belcher, solicitor, appeared for the defence. P.C. Ford said he was coming down from the neighbourhood of the church on the evening of Christmas Day when he heard a man shouting and cursing in Maughan-terrace. He went in that direction, and saw defendant in a drunken and excited condition. He was cursing and swearing, and accusing some person of having stolen his watch and chain at the Dock Hotel. There were many people about.
Defendant refused to go to the police-station to give information to the police of the alleged robbery. He also refused to give his name and address. He (witness), therefore, took him into custody, but he was unable to take to the station because the crowd liberated defendant. During the attempt to take defendant to the station he kicked witness three times on the leg. Defendant also made use of bad language. - Mr. Belcher : 'Bad language is not a very serious offence now-a-days.' (Laughter.)
Evidence in collaboration was given by Edward Lace, landlord of the Dock Hotel, who said defendant was very excited and under the influence of drink. - For the defence, Mr Belcher called Edward Jones, 41, Maughan-street, a pointsman in the employ of the Taff Vale Railway Company ; Henry Dippy, 4, Maughan-terrace ; and Thomas Norman, 38, Salop-place, all of Penarth, each of whom swore distinctly that defendant did not assault the constable, but admitted that he was under the influence of drink. - the Bench imposed a penalty of 5s. and costs for the first offence, but dismissed the second summons.' - Barry Dock News [140] [361] 8th January 1892.
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