Mark Cross Petty Sessions

[emma@esh]

Wadhurst Assault Case ( another one!)
( as reported in Kent and Sussex Courier 15th April 1898 )

Joesph Clark, a labourer, of Wadhurst who pleaded guilty was summoned for assault of Elizabeth Hemsley. The complainant said that without provocation the defendant, who was her brother, hit her in the face and she fell down unconscious. Defendant, who pleaded provocation, was fined 5 shillings and costs.

[emma@esh]

also same date

Joseph Field of Wadhurst was summoned for allowing seventeen sheep to stray onto the road near Wadhurst. He was fined 5 shillings and costs.

Odd how both assult and sheep straying warrant the same fine? Wonder who was more insulted - Elizabeth or the sheep!

[emma@esh]

ditto

Dismissed

William Newington and Charles Cossham (sic), two well dressed boys, were summoned for damaging a door belonging to Mr Barham on the 21st of March. Arthur Barham said that for a long time past he had suffered from boys throwing stones at his door at Wadhurst. And on the night in question he watched and caught the defendants who (admitted?) having damaged the door. Both defendants denied having thrown stones and in the absence of corroborative evidence the case was dismissed.