Western Daily Press - 17 April 1890

TEMPLE CLOUD PETTY SESSION.

TUESDAY.— Before Messrs C. A. KEMBLE and EDWARD STRACHEY and Captain PHILP

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A QUESTION OF IDENTITY - ASSAULTING THE POLICE

James Paget, of Paulton, appeared to a summons charging him with being drunk and disorderly at Paulton, on the 29th ult. Constable Miles deposed that about 10.20 p.m. he heard a row near the Winterfield Inn. He went there, and found defendant with others. He was very drank and noisy and wanted to fight. Witness took him to his home and got him inside his garden gate and kept him there. Defendant denied that he was drunk, and called as witnesses Wm. Church and his wife, the former of whom deposed that the man who was drunk was James Paget's brother, Albert Paget. On being re-called, constable adhered to his statement, and said that Albert Paget was much shorter than James, and was lame. William Church was than charged with being drunk and disorderly at the same time and place, and also with assaulting Constable Miles. The defendant admitted the first charge, but pleaded not guilty to assault. Constable Miles deposed that after he bad got Paget under the gate, Church ran down to the gate and struck him twice on the breast, sending him staggering back into the road. Constable Higgins corroborated to the extent that he saw one blow struck. Defendant said that after Paget was got in, he (defendant) said to the constable, "We can settle this, and put out his hand. He might have have pushed him on the breast. The bench said that Paget would have the benefit the doubt in his case, and the summons would be dismissed. Church would fined 5s and costs for being drunk, and as to the assault they considered that at any rate a technical assault had been committed, and defendant would have to pay a fine of 1s, and costs 8s.