Drunk and disorderly, 1877

DERBY COUNTY POLICE COURT, FRIDAY.

[Before Col. MOSLEY (Chairman), the Hon. W. M. JERVIS, H. F. GISBORNE, and G. W. PEACH, Esqrs.]

“UNITY.” – Charles Little, Charles Bosworth, and George Cox were summoned for having been drunk in the Union public-house at Spondon, on the 29th December. The defendant, Charles Little, landlord of the public-house, was also charged with permitting drunkenness on his premises on the night in question. – Mr. Hextall prosecuted, and Mr. Briggs defended. – Police-sergeant Jeffries said about quarter to ten on the night of the 29th December he went to the Union public-house, and on entering found Cox and Bosworth in the passage very drunk. There was also a man named Newhall in the same condition. No proceedings had been taken against him as he had gone away. Witness went into the parlour, and found the landlord there very drunk; witness spoke to him, but he did not answer. There were several other persons in the parlour, and they roused the landlord by telling him that a policeman was speaking to him. He then said, “Now, you chaps, it’s time you were out,” but he did not attempt to clear them out. Witness then saw the landlord’s wife, and she was also the worse for liquor. There were about a score of persons in the house all more or less drunk. – For the defence it was contended that the men, especially Cox, were rather “beery,” but that none of them were drunk within the meaning laid down by Act of Parliament. Charles Measham, a market gardener, said he was in Little’s house about quarter-past nine. The defendants Cox and Bosworth were there, and there were half-a-dozen others. There was no disorderly conduct going on. Witness was there when the officer entered, and at that time Cox and Bosworth were not drunk, but had had beer. The landlord was also sober, and when the officer entered was sitting on the sofa in the parlour, and leaning his head on his hand on the table. Mrs. Little was sober. – By Mr. Hextall: Cox was capable of taking himself home, and so was Bosworth. – The defendant Cox said he was a plumber at Spondon, and on the 29th December had been collecting money. He went into the “Union” shortly before eight, and he arrived home about quarter to ten. He was perfectly sober when he went home. He was a little “beery.” – Mrs. Elizabeth Little stated that she was sober on the 29th December. There was no one in the house who was not capable of taking care of themselves. – Defendant Bosworth said he was a labourer. He was sober on the night in question, when he was in the Union public-house. He had had about three pints of beer. – The Bench fined Cox and Bosworth 2s. 6d. each and 10s. 6d. costs, and Little 5l. and 10s. 6d. costs. There were previous convictions against Little.

(Derby Mercury, 16th January 1878)

Assaulted by the innkeeper

COUNTY POLICE COURT, FRIDAY.

[Before W. T. COX, Esq., G. F. MEYNELL, Esq., A. E. WELBY, Esq., and the Hon. W. M. JERVIS.]

Charles Little, innkeeper, Spondon, was summoned for assaulting Eliza Bosworth [Eliza (Holmes) Bosworth], at Spondon, on the 11th inst. The complainant had gone to defendant’s house to fetch her husband [Charles Bosworth (1831-1880)] home. She found her husband on the bowling alley, and having complained that he had been there every evening during the week she told him he should not bowl again that night but go home, and she placed herself before the pins. The defendant thereupon struck her violently and also shook her and tore her shawl. – Fined 30s. and 18s. 6d. costs.

(Derby Mercury, 23rd July 1873)

Guilty of assaulting David Joyce

ANOTHER SPONDON ASSAULT CASE. – Joseph Bosworth [Joseph Bosworth (1853-1933)] was summoned by David Joyce for assaulting him, at Spondon, on the 4th inst. – Complainant said that they both worked together at the Midland Railway Works at Derby, and during the afternoon in question a dispute arose between them in the workshop. After his return home at Spondon, at night, Bosworth came to his home and challenged him out to fight, but he declined. Subsequently defendant followed him and struck him. This was the assault complained of. – Defendant denied striking the complainant, but admitted that he had threatened to hit him for pushing his (defendant’s) mother [Eliza (Holmes) Bosworth] down. Complainant had been making false accusations against his parents [Charles Bosworth (1831-1880) and Eliza (Holmes) Bosworth]. – The Bench characterised the case as a senseless row, and one which ought not to have been brought before them. They should order the defendant to enter into his own recognizances in the sum of £10 to keep the peace for 12 months.

(Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, 15th September 1871)