Bad language / Assaulting a constable

Ernest William Lawrence, Arthur James Warner, and Cecil Ilett, all of Hatfield, were summoned for using bad language, at Hatfield, on June 19th. P.C. Francis stated that at 10.15 p.m. on the Sunday named he saw the defendants coming up Brewery Hill; they were using filthy language. He had previously cautioned them twice on the same evening as to their conduct. Henry William Angell corroborated. Warner and Ilett denied using bad language, but Lawrence admitted to using one word. Defendants were each fined 2s. 6d. including costs.

Ernest William Lawrence was further charged with assaulting  P.C. Francis while in execution of his duty on the same occasion, and pleaded not guilty. P.C. Francis stated that when he asked defendant for his name and address, he refused to give it and said “Blow-fly, that’s it, take it out of that”. Witness took him into custody, and defendant struck him several times in the mouth, making his lips swell and loosening two of his front teeth. P.C. English came up and assisted witness to take defendant to the police station. Henry William Angell said he saw the defendant strike at the Constable five times and hit him thrice. Defendant was a little worse for drink but not drunk. Defendant denied that he struck the policeman, and said that if he was hit it was during the struggle. He was fined 10 shillings including costs. The Chairman said that if it had not been for the defendant’s previous good character he would have dealt with him more severely: it was a heinous offence to assault the police.