QSR1832/2/5/9-10

Depositions of Norman Francis, victualler of Ridgmont. John Roberts, constable of Ridgmont. James Line, labourer of Ridgmont. In the case of Joseph Spring and John Purser accused of assault.

23 March 1832

From: 1832 To: 1832

Norman Francis: he kept the White Hart at Ridgmont. Spring and Purser were at his house and in liquor. He refused to draw them more beer and a row began. He sent for John Roberts, the constable and when Roberts came there was a great uproar in the house. Several persons in the house saw Joseph Spring strike Thomas Hardwick. He saw Purser strike John Roberts. Spring and Purser were put out of the house as much as 3 times and returned again. John Roberts: he was constable of Ridgmont and was sent for to the White Hart. He went there and found a great uproar in the house. Spring and Purser were there, as was Tomas Hardwick and several others. Spring and Purser were swearing dreadfully at the company and he asked them why they did not conduct themselves in a more proper manner. Spring pointed at Hardwick and said that the dammed fool was the cause of it. Spring struck Hardwick as Hardwick sat in a chair. He immediately took hold of Spring’s collar and told him such conduct was not allowed and he then doubled his fist and struck him violently. He held on to Spring at arms length and Spring repeated the blows. He then told Spring that if he did not desist he would strike him with his constable’s staff. Spring did not desist and he struck Spring with the staff. John Purser came and seized the staff and attempted to wrench it from his hand. He then tried to leave Spring, who would not let him go and torn his coat. He turned towards Purser and struggled with him to get the staff. After he had done so he seized Purser by the collar and held him at arms length whilst Purser struck him several times on the arm. He told Purser that if he did not desist he would strike him with the staff. Purser did not desist and he struck him with it and called for assistance. He turned them out of the house. They kicked the door. One of his assistants was outside the house and they opened the door to let him in. Spring and Purser rushed into the house by force. William Rower [?], the other constable came and tried to get them out. Purser went out but Spring would not go and had to be forced from his seat. Spring then threw himself to the ground and kicked violently. Purser came and threw himself on Spring’s body and said he’d not be removed. They were turned out of the house. They forced themselves again into the house and he took them into custody. James Line: he was at the White Hart and saw Roberts, the constable, there trying to stop a riot. Spring and Purser were there as was Hardwick and several others. Roberts charged him to aid him and he did so. Spring and Purser resisted the constable and he saw the circumstances stated by the last witness, Roberts. There was general resistance to the constable’s authority. Joseph Spring said he would not be put out by anybody and Purser said he should not go. He had not got to the White Hart until after Roberts and he saw Spring strike Hardwick and in aiding the constable he received several kicks from Spring. Statements of the accused: they were sorry for what they had done.

item

Spring, Joseph,
Purser, John,
Roberts, John,
Francis, Norman,
Line, James,
Hardwick, Thomas

RIDGMONT, Ridgmont White Hart, victualler, assault