View source for Western Gazette - 08 June 1883

'''TEMPLE CLOUD.''' 

''Petty Sessions, Tuesday.—Before Messrs. S. S. P. Samborne and W. W. Kettlewell, and Captain Philp.''

Thomas Perry and Frederick Perry, coal miners, Paulton, were charged with assaulting Martin Cyrus Slade, landlord of the [[Old Lottery Inn]], on the 21st ult. Thomas Perry was also charged with assaulting Mrs. Slade and Joseph Banfield, and there was a cross summons against Banfield. It appeared that on the day in question, Paulton Benefit Society held their anniversary, and complainant Slade's house was full of company, the prisoner Thomas Perry amongst others. The latter seemed very quarrelsome, and endeavoured to get up a row, and was at length ordered to leave. Slade attempted to eject him, but defendant resisted, and struck and kicked him, and also Mrs. Slade and Banfield, who came to Slade's assistance. When outside, the prisoner alleged that Banfield stamped on him. Just as Thomas Perry was nearly out of the house Frederick Perry appeared and struck Slade a heavy blow on the forehead with a quart jar full of beer, knocking him down senseless. Frederick Perry pleaded guilty. Thomas Perry denied being quarrelsome, and said that it was only on being violently assaulted that he retaliated. The Chairman said that as Thomas Perry had already been in custody for a fortnight he would be fined 14s, including costs, for assaulting Slade, or seven days; 13s, including costs, for assaulting Mrs. Slade, or seven days ; and 16s, including costs, for assaulting Banfield; the summons against Banfield being dismissed. Addressing Frederick Perry, the Chairman commented on the escape the prisoner had of appearing a much more serious charge, considering the murderous nature of the blow, complainant being under medical treatment for some days, and confined to his bed. He expressed the intention of the bench to uphold publicans in their endeavour to keep order, and sentence the defendant to 21 days' hard labour.