Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 03 July, 1909.

THE OSPRINGE WOUNDING CASE SCENE IN A PUBLIC HOUSE.

Edward Knowler pleaded not guilty to maliciously wounding Solomon Peters with a beer glass at Ospringe.

Mr. R. F. Gibson appeared for the prosecution.

Solomon Peters, the prosecutor, gave a detailed account of the events of the night of May 1 so far as they related to the alleged assault. The prisoner was drunk and the barman had refused to serve him with further liquor. Prisoner tried to take prosecutor's glass of beer, and when prosecutor endeavoured to prevent him, he struck him in the face with the glass, breaking it. Prosecutor lost much blood. He was taken to the Cottage Hospital and 16 stitches were put in.

By the prisoner:- He had been playing darts with him.

By the Chairman:- He was not an intimate acquaintance of his.

By the prisoner:- We have drunk together.

By the Chairman:- We have worked together once. I was not drunk and did not fall on the glass.

Arthur Lloyd, "Crown Inn," Ospringe, said he was in charge in the absence of his father. Prisoner after wounding prosecutor with the glass hid himself and was eventually found by the police.

By the prisoner:- He did not see the striking.

Dr. Gange, of Faversham, gave evidence to the nature of the wounds. They healed in about a week or ten days. They were such as would be made by a broken glass.

By the prisoner:- It was my impression that Peters was drunk, or at any rate the worse for drink.

P.C. Bowchier deposed to finding the prisoner concealed in the pig-sty, and afterwards the glass on a heap.

Prisoner had put put in a written statement in which he said prosecutor was drunk and kicked him. He hid because they said they would kill him. Prisoner lay drunk like a bullock on the floor. He was sorry for what took place. It was all through drink. If it had not been for drink it would not have happened. His own arm was hurt and it was a fortnight before he could use it. He had been locked up for two months. If he were dealt with lightly he would sign the pledge.

The Chairman summed up against the prisoner, and the Jury found him guilty, but considered there had been provocation and recommended him to mercy.

Eleven previous convictions were proved.

The Chairman in passing sentence said that the prisoner had been two months in gaol already. Taking this into consideration, and the Jury's recommendation, he would now sentence him to one month’s hard labour.