Charles Jones

Assault on Mr. James Chater

27th December 1848

Charles Jones, of Rowell, was charged with assaulting Mr. James Chater, of Desborough Mill, at the sign of the Red Lion, on the night of the 27th December. Complainant stated that on the above night Jones came into the house, and after calling him opprobrious names and putting his fist in his face, struck him twice with his open hand. This evidence was corroborated by a witness named Carpenter York. Police-constable Crisp deposed, that hearing a noise as if of quarrelling in the Red Lion, on the above night, he went into the house and heard Jones abusing the complainant, who was sitting quietly in a chair, and who remarked that he was sorry that he was not in a position to defend himself, referring to his being under a bond to keep the peace. Jones pleaded in his defence that Chater was in his debt, and that as often as he had been applied to for the money, the application had been met with abuse. He then called William Cox as a witness, who stated that he was in the house before either of the litigants came in, that a quarrel took place about some money, but that no blow was struck on either side; that he (deponent) took Jones away, while some one else induced Chater to go into another room; and that some time afterwards complainant returned to where the quarrel had taken place, and declared that he cared for no one, when Jones put out his hand, but did not strike him. The bench, after some deliberation, announced that having given the utmost attention to the case, they were of opinion that an assault had been committed, and that its commission, with a knowledge of the fact that the object of it was now under a bond to keep the peace, was both disgraceful and cowardly. To the testimony of Cox they gave no credit, and considered the evidence he had given to be much to his disgrace. Jones was fined £2., and costs £1. 3s. 6d.

 Northampton Mercury, Saturday 20 January 1849