An exciting struggle

Hertfordshire Mercury, 12th August 1916

Transcript

George Madsen, 26, of Cadmore Lane, Cheshunt, and Oscar Andersen, 32, of Turners Hill, Cheshunt, both tomato growers, were charged with being drunk and disorderly at Wormley at 10:30pm on 30th July, and further with assaulting PC Pearman and Special Constables Cossey and Kemsey.

PC Pearman said that when on duty in Wormley at 10.30 p.m. on 30th July, he had seen the two defendants cycling towards him from the direction of Broxbourne.  As they had no lights, he called on them to stop.  He then saw that they were drunk.  Andersen rode by him on one side and Madsen, who tried to pass him on the other side, fell off his bike when it hit the kerb.  When asked for his name and address, Madsen said that he was a German, he took off his coat, and then struck the Constable in the chest.  At the same time, Andersen returned and proceeded to kick the Constable on the leg.  The Constable closed with the pair whilst at the same time calling for the assistance of the two Special Constables, Cossey and Kemsey.  With their help, he forced the two defendants to the ground.  Andersen struck Cossey in the face, giving him a black eye, and Madsen kicked him.  Kemsey was also struck, and there was much difficulty in handcuffing the two men.

A conveyance was obtained and, whilst being driven to Hoddesdon, Andersen slipped his cuffs, opened the door of the conveyance, and tried to get out saying that he would jump into the New River.  It was only with much difficulty that the men were kept inside the conveyance.  PC Pearman had to handcuff both of Madsen’s hands and then sit on him.  Madsen said “That is your British pluck, you English cur: I will stick you to the ground”.  Both prisoners were very violent all the way to the police station.

Andersen, who spoke through an interpreter, said that he had been so drunk that he hadn’t remembered anything about the assault, but corroborative evidence was given by the two Special Constables.

Andersen, in his defence, said that he and Madsen had had some drink and had then cycled to Wormley where they had each had two more glasses of beer, but he could not understand how such a small quantity had gone to his head.  The Chairman said that perhaps the beer was rather strong in Wormley (there was much laughter in court!).  Madsen said that he didn’t know whether he had been fighting a policeman or a lamp-post (there was much more laughter in court !)  He said that he had been absolutely lost when he had fallen off his bicycle, but that he was sorry for what had happened.

Each prisoner was fined £2 or 25 days for the assaults, and 10 shillings or 7 days for the drunkenness.  In addition, they were ordered jointly to pay 5 shillings for the hire of the conveyance.

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