QSR1877/3/5/4

Depositions and examination - Thomas Gudgin of Astwood (Bucks), farmer, charged wtih assaulting Thomas George at Ampthill on 19 April 1877

3 May 1877

From: 1877 To: 1877

Thomas George of Milbrook, farmer – on 19 April he was at Ampthill Market. He was in the White Hart Inn bar at about 9.30pm. The bar was full of people. Gudgin came in and began speaking to him. He did not answer and Gudgin abused him. He called the landlord’s attention to his conduct. Gudgin asked him to come down the yard and fight him. He did not answer. Gudgin continued to abuse him. He was sitting on a seat and Gudgin was standing nearby with a stick in his hand. Gudgin hit him across the left side of his head with the stick. The blow broke through the brim of his hat and struck him on his eye. Gudgin struck him again in the mouth. He was much hurt. A Mr Stearn collared Gudgin and put him out of the room. He sent for Dr Slinn and he attended him. He was taken home in a fly. He is executor under the will of Gudgin’s father and has been obliged to take legal proceedings in the matter against him – the suit is still pending. [Cross-examined] He did direct a letter to be written to Gudgin’s creditors that he would not as executor be responsible. He knows that seven writs have been served on him. He walked out round his premises the next day after the assault. He did not get hold of Gudgin’s stick and hit him. He had a stick which he raised to defend himself. He does not know whether he struck Gudgin. He is co-executor with Gudgin and his mother. Samuel Biscoe of Ampthill, innkeeper – he is landlord of the White Hart Inn at Ampthill. On 19 April he was in the next room. He went into the bar. George said to him “if you allow a fellow like this to be there to insult your customers I won’t use your house”. He told Gudgin to behave himself or leave. Gudgin refused and said he was not going to be frightened by an old rogue like George. Gudgin continued to abuse George and use very filthy language. He went to fetch a policeman. When he returned Gudgin was being put out by a man named Stearn. He heard Gudgin say he would do for George. George Green of Millbrook, farmer – he was at the White Hart, sitting with George in the bar. Gudgin came in and began abusing George. He told George he had better leave – George said he would not be driven away. Gudgin raised his stick. He told Gudgin to put it down and he did so, but directly afterwards he raised it again and hit George across the head with the stick – a severe blow. George was sitting down and Gudgin standing up. Stearn and others put Gudgin out. He did not see George attempt to strike Gudgin. He saw George hold his stick up. He does not recollect any challenge to fight. William Samuel Slinn of Ampthill, surgeon – he was summoned to the White Hart about 10pm. He found Thomas George suffering from an injury to the left side of the forehead. The skin was not broken but much contused and swollen. He also had a wound on the lip caused by the teeth which was bleeding considerably. He attended to George and has done so ever since. George has suffered from pains in the head and he has recommended him rest. He considers George’s system has been shaken by the injury. The eye is blackened. The blow must have been a severe one. John Wortley of Houghton Conquest, wheelwright – he was at the White Hart. Mr George was in the bar sitting on a seat. Gudgin was standing up when he went in. The landlord was ordering Gudgin to leave. Gudgin was excited. The last witness Green advised George to go. Gudgin hit George on the left side of the head. Stearn went to put Gudgin out. George rushed up from his seat and raised his stick. Gudgin’s hat was knocked off. He cannot say George did it. As he was being put out Gudgin hit George again. His mouth bled. [Cross-examined] He believes George struck Gudgin as he was being put out. William Stearn of Ampthill, tailor – he saw Gudgin strike George a sharp blow. He and others seized Gudgin and put him out in to the passage. He did not see George offer Gudgin any provocation. Thomas Gudgin - "I will reserve my defence"

item

Gudgin, Thomas,
George, Thomas,
Biscoe, Samuel,
Slinn, William Samuel,
Wortley, John,
Stearn, William

AMPTHILL, MILLBROOK, HOUGHTON CONQUEST, assault, farmer, innkeeper, surgeon, wheelwright, tailor, wills, Ampthill White Hart