West Cumberland Times 21 November 1928 21 Nov. 1928 Whitehaven Police Court

21 Nov. 1928 Whitehaven Police Court

Monday. - Before Messrs. R. JEFFERSON (in the chair),  W. H. WATSON, E. L. NANSON, J. G. OLDFIELD, J. MCGOWAN and W.  BIRKETT. YOUNG MINER’S ASSAULT  ON POLICE “LIKE A ROARING LION.” Thomas RUMNEY, coalminer, 25, Ginns, Whitehaven, was  charged with having been drunk and disorderly and assaulted P. C. KENNETT in  West Strand, at 10-20 p.m. on Saturday. Supt. MELVILLE said that there was a crowd on West  Strand at the time of the disturbance, and when the constable arrested RUMNEY he  became like a roaring lion. He (the superintendent) was there in plain clothes  and went to the constable’s assistance. He saw the defendant strike the  constable several times in the face and also kick him. It took several persons  to bring the defendant to the police station, and he behaved in a most  disgraceful way. Some persons interfered with the police, who were struck, and  he, (the superintendent) proposed in future, if persons interfered in that way  when a constable was arresting a man, to take action against them for  obstructing the policeman while in the execution of his  duty. Defendant said he pleaded  guilty. P. C. KENNETT gave evidence bearing out the statement  of the Superintendent. Defendant, he said, had to be lifted bodily to keep him  under control. He struck witness again when he was in the police  station. Supt. MELVILLE: How many persons did it take to bring  him to the police station. Witness: Three policemen and about four  civilians. Defendant, in reply to the Bench, said he remembered  nothing about it. Supt. MELVILLE said he would like to thank the  civilians who assisted in taking the defendant to the Police  Station. In reply to the chairman, defendant said he was  married. Supt. MELVILLE said he had heard that the man’s wife  was not in good health and was under the doctor. Under these circumstances he  did not ask that the defendant should be sent to prison, although it was one  those cases in which he should have been. A man who got into that state ought to  limit his consumption of intoxication liquor. The Chairman (to the defendant): Tour conduct has been  absolutely disgraceful, and had it not been for the kind plea the Superintendent  put in for you we should have sent you to prison for assaulting the police. For  being drunk and disorderly you will have to pay a fine of 10s or go to prison  for seven days, and for assaulting the police you are fined 40s or a month. “I  would like to thank the civilians who were good enough to help the police on  this occasion,” added Mr. JEFFERSON. Defendant asked for time to pay, and was allowed  fourteen days. Supt. MELVILLE said he was informed that defendant’s  father was a staunch teetotaller. ___________ Monday. - Before Messrs. R. JEFFERSON (in the  chair), W. H. WATSON, E. L. NANSON, J. G. OLDFIELD, J. MCGOWAN and W.  BIRKETT. ____ AFTER TWELVE  MONTHS TRAVELLING. William Henry HAMMOND, showman, Assembly Street,  Dumfries, was charged with using a motor car for which a license was not in  force, in King Street, Whitehaven, on the 17th November,  1927. Evidence was given by P. C. MONAGHAN,  who said  he saw defendant with a motor lorry proceeding in the direction of the Market  Place on the morning of November 17th, last year. Witness afterwards spoke to  defendant on the West Strand and asked him why he had not obtained a new  license. He replied, “To tell you the truth, I have not got the money.” When  told he would be reported defendant said he would take out a new license that  day and borrow the money. The police had not been able to serve the summons on  defendant as he had been away from the district. Defendant said he had been very ill and in hospital.  For two years he had been suffering from a perforated stomach. Defendant added  that he had taken out the license. In reply to the Chairman, defendant said he had small  stalls at the fairs and conditions had been bad. He had four  children. The Chairman said that it was only on account of his  health that the Bench were going to be lenient with the defendant. There would  be no conviction, but he would have to pay the costs, 5s. _______________

 

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