| Notes: | Formerly Royal Artillery. CMP Depot, Egypt. Later WOI.
Extract from the Aldershot News 4 October 1935, PROTECTING THE TRADER. HEAVILY FINED FOR ASSAULT.
A scene outside a shop was described to the Aldershot Magistrates on Monday when William David Jones (26) soldier, on bail was charged with assaulting William George Meade and occasioning him bodil6y harm, at Aldershot, on September 21st.
Mr Michael Game appeared for the defendant.
Mr. Meade, a fish fryer, 157 Victoria Road, Aldershot, stated that about 9.55 p.m on Saturday, September 21st a man enetered. He was too drunk to say what he wante3d and stood by the counter. About ten minutes later he heard a filthy expression and he turned and saw defendant strike a drunken man.
" I immediately leaped over the counter." said the witness, "and got between them. Jones struck me over my right eye. I retaliated and closed with him and got him to the door of the shop,m when I was immediately set upon by four or five other men, who crowded round me. I let loose myself and knocked two of the down. Some one jumped on my back, my white overall was torn off. Jones came in front of me and I was pushed into the doorway of the shop next door. While I was bent double i was struck a terrific blow on my left cheek by Jones. I could not way what happened for two or three minutes but the next thing i really remember was finding myself in my kitchen.
In cross examination,m the witness said he jumped over the counter with the idea of putting Jones outside. He did not strike Jones first.
Herbert Stephen Attfield stated that when his employer jumped over the counter and attempted to put out Jones and the drunken man Meade was struck by defendant.
In cross examination witness denied that Meade pushed other drunken man into Jones.
L/Cpl. H Rushton, Military Mounted Police stated that he saw Mr. Meade trying to put the defendant out of the shop. Immediately they reached the footpath four or five persons surrounded Meade, tearing at his white coat and dragged him into a doorway, where the "set about" him. He saw Jones strike Meade with his fist.
James Richard Kavanagh, of 38, Queen' Road, Aldershot, stated that in the scuffle in the doorway defendant struck Meade in the face an continued to strike him.
The blow that told was the one to the side of the face in the doorway," said Kavanagh.
William Knight, an employee of Mr. Meade, stated that Jones Struck Meade and the rushed him into a doorway.
Cheek Bone Broken.
Dr. J. G. Hill stated that he saw Meade on the night of September 21st. He was suffering from a broken cheek bone. The fracture could have bee caused by a mans' fist.
Police Constable Bowes said that when Meade made his accusation Jones did not deny or admit it. He had been drinking and was excited. The following morning he saw Jones, who said: "I had to take a car back for two other corporals. I walked into the shop. There was a lot of noise; Meade jumped over the counter, hit me and I hit him back. he showed his right hand. The thumb was swollen and the second knuckle was black.
The Defence.
Mr. Game said he proposed to call evidence to rebut the suggestion of the prosecution that Jones struck the first blow and was the ringleader of the "scrap." There was no doubt that Jones struck Meade, but Meade also struck the defendant and there was an exchange of blows.
Defendant gave evidence that after leaving a cinema he had three small beers. He then went to Meade's shop. There were six or eight men in the corner of the shop and he noticed a drunken man. This man used a filthy expression and Meade jumped over the counter and tried to put him out. The man tried to strike Mead, who hit out, missed him and struck him (defendant) on the shoulder. he his out and stuck Meade on the chin in self defence. The fighting continued outside, but he went out of it.
The Magistrates' Clerk: You say Mr. Meade missed the drunken man and hit you. An obvious mistake, wasn't it ? I didn't think it then , but now I do.
In further examination, defendant said he struck Meade outside the shop. He had been pushed back a yard.
Pte. T. J. Jones, who was with the defendant, stated that Meade started to push a mon out, hit at the man, missed him and hit defendant. The latter staggered back a yard or two and let out a blow. A crowd gathered an he kept on the outisee3 of the "ring." He did not see defendant again until he entered the shop with a police officer.
L/Cpl H. L. Butler stated that accused reported at the guardroom at 10.30 p.m. on September 21st. He was sober. Pte Jones reported at 10.20 p.m.
Capt. R.M. May-Hill gave evidence that defendant has a good military character.
Lost his Temper.
In imposing a fine of £4 4s, the Chairman told Jones it was perfectly obvious he lost his temper and behaved in a very disgraceful manner. His business was to help law and order. When the saw a drunken man being put our of the shop he should have helped instead of which he set upon the unfortunate tradesman who was trying to conduct his business in an orderly and decent manner. The proper sentence for this king of offence would be two months' hard labour, but in consideration of his good character he would be fined , but the fine must be such as would cause him to reflect upon the wickedness of his action.
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