QSR1848/4/5/13

Depositions and examination - James Galer charged with assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty

29 September 1848

From: 1848 To: 1848

James Smith, police officer for Biggleswade Division - very early that morning, before 1am, he was called up by Edwin Blunden the superintendent to go with him to suppress a disturbance in Langford Lane. When they arrived he was requested by a stranger to make haste or someone would be murdered. When he arrived near the house where Galer lives he found Galer in the road with his coat and waistcoat off fighting with another man he was later told was Galer’s father. He asked Galer to stop but he refused. He took him into custody and told him he must go to the lock up with him. Galer resisted violently, then threw himself down. He tried to pull Galer along, and Mr Blunden charged Robert Burrows, who happened to be near, to aid and assist. Burrows tried to do so, but soon exclaimed “he has got a knife and has cut me”. Blunden turned the light on them. He then saw that Galer had an open clasp knife in his hand. Galer jabbed at him several times and attempted to strike him, but he warded off the blows. Galer kept cursing and swearing all the time. He borrowed Mr Blunden’s stick and managed to get the knife away. Galer continued to struggle and plunge and kicked him very violently in the stomach. He still feels the effects of the blow. He ultimately succeeded in locking Galer up. He put the knife in his pocket and later gave it to Mr Blunden. He at that time noticed some blood on the blade. Robert Burrows - late on Wednesday night he heard a noise at Galer’s house, opposite to where he lives. He went there and found Galer and his father quarrelling and using high words. He [Galer’s father?] said he could not go on so and asked him to fetch the policeman. He went first to Mr Chew’s for the policeman. As he was not at home he went to Mr Blunden’s. When he got back to the street where Galer lives he found Galer in the policeman’s custody. When the policeman told Galer he must go with him to the lock up Galer went a few steps with him then laid himself down on the road. The policeman tried to pull him up. Galer did not get up and the policeman dragged him along the ground. Mr Blunden ordered him to aid and assist. He took hold of Galer. Galer did not attempt to strike him or anyone else that he saw. While he had hold of Galer he had his hand cut, but cannot swear how or by whom. He called out and Mr Blunden held the lantern towards Galer. He then saw a knife in Galer’s hand. He did not see Galer try to strike himself or anyone else with the knife. He saw the policeman hold Galer’s hand down and strike his hand with a stick to make him drop the knife. His hand bled from the cut and has since been dressed by Mr Thompson his club doctor. He can’t say in what way the wound was given. He never said he saw Galer strike at the policeman. He only said he saw him struggling. Edwin Blunden, superintendent of police for Biggleswade Division - very early this morning he was called up by Robert Burrows who said there was a great disturbance in Langford Lane. He went there with James Smith and found Galer fighting with his father. He helped to take Galer into custody and charged Burrows to assist. He had a light in a lantern and saw that Galer had an open clasp knife in his hand with which he several times tried to stab Smith and himself. Smith asked for his stick and struck Galer over the knuckles. Galer dropped the knife. John Thompson of Biggleswade, surgeon - Burrows called on him and told him he had got his hand cut. There were two incisions and may have been a third. He has no doubt the wounds were inflicted by a sharp instrument. He considers they were inflicted by drawing the instrument across and not by a stab.

item

Galer, James,
Smith, James,
Blunden, Edwin,
Burrows, Robert,
Thompson, John

BIGGLESWADE, Biggleswade Langford Lane, assault, police constable, police superintendent, doctors, surgeons, friendly societies