QSR1835/3/5/40

Depositions and examinations - Benjamin Pettit [crossed through in pencil], Thomas Pettit and Charles Askew of Odell, labourer, and William Mole of Carlton, tailor, charged with assaulting William Johnson, constable for the parish of Carlton, in the execution of his duty

5 May 1835

From: 1835 To: 1835

William Johnson, constable for the parish of Carlton – on Sunday evening 19 April he was sent for as constable to quell a disturbance at the Fox public house at Carlton. When he got there the landlord John Smith asked him to turn out Thomas Pettit who had been breaking the mugs. This was at 8pm. When he took hold of Pettit’s collar Charles Askew said “I should not turn him out”. They all knew he was the constable. He charged his son to assist min. Askew seized his son and by the hair of the head and struck his head against the wall severely. With the help of others they succeeded in turning them out and the landlord locked his door. Soon afterwards a fight took place in the yard between Charles Askew and another person which he tried to stop. Thomas Pettit struck him a severe blow on his head and said “Damn all Constables”. After Pettit struck him he [Johnson] raised his staff to hit him. William Mole snatched it out of his hand and said the two persons fighting should not be parted. Mole was very active in preventing him from interfering to stop the fight. William Johnson the younger of Carlton – his father’s statement is true. Charles Askew struck him, Thomas Pettit struck his father and William Mole took the staff out of his hand. Thomas Pettit – “I never struck anybody” Charles Askew – “I interrupted no one except a man of Carlton with whom I was fighting. William Mole – he was attracted by the noise and went to see what it was. He did not see Petit strike the constable. He went to assist the constable and did not touch his staff. Samuel Tysoe of Turvey, labourer [called on behalf of William Mole] – he went from the meeting at Carlton to the Fox when the row was in the yard. He went into the Fox and had half a pint of beer. He did not see Mr Mole try to take away the staff, but Mr Mole tried to pull away Thomas Pettit who had got hold of Mr Johnson’s staff. Mr Mole told Mr Pettit to give over. [Answering question from the constable] He did not speak to Mr Johnson at the time. Simon Knight of Chellington, labourer – he was at the Fox at Carlton when Mr Johnson came. He saw Johnson try to turn out Thomas Pettit and his son assisting him. He did not see anybody hinder Mr Johnson. He saw Mr Mole in the yard just before he went home. He did not see Mole try to take away the staff. He did not see Mr Johnson drink any beer. He saw a pot of beer offered to him several times but did not see him take any. William Sabey of Carlton, labourer – he was at the Fox at the beginning of the row. He saw the fight in the yard. All he saw was that Mr Mole was assisting Mr Johnson in trying to get the people quiet. He saw no staff. [Answering question from the constable] He did say to the constable “let them fight”.

item

Pettit, Benjamin,
Pettit, Thomas,
Askew, Charles,
Mole, William,
Tysoe, Samuel,
Knight, Simon,
Sabey, William

ODELL, CARLTON, TURVEY, CHELLINGTON, assault, parish constables, constable, tailor, Carlton Fox