Southeastern Gazette, 15 March 1853.

Assaulting a Constable at Dartford.

George Coulter, 25, and John Coulter, 21, were charged with assaulting Frederick John Thatcher, a constable, while in the execution of his duty.

Mr. Rose prosecuted; Mr. Horn defended.

Superintending-constable Frederick John Thatcher, Dartford division, deposed that on the 19th February, between eleven and twelve o’clock at night, he went to the "Albion" beer-house, kept by his brother. The house was closed at that time; the door was not fastened. The two prisoners and a man named Bush came to the door and pushed it. Witness told them the house was closed and they could not be admitted. George Coulter then said he would come in, and that he wanted a light. They then went into the house, and witness's brother with some difficulty turned them out of the house. Witness was standing in the street at that time.

George Coulter immediately caught hold of him. Witness told him who he as, and said if they did not go quietly he would take them into custody. They then went away as far as Webb’s-corner, where they stood for some time. Witness heard them use threatening language and say something about "serving him out." Went to them and told them to go away. George Coulter caught hold of him by the thigh and pinched him. He attempted to protect himself, but was immediately thrown to the ground by George Coulter, and directly afterwards received a heavy blow or kick from one of the prisoners, but could not say who gave it to him. He then received two or three kicks from John Coulter on the head and face. He caught hold of George Coulter by the hair of the head, and attempted to get up, but was kicked by John Coulter till he was quite insensible. His head was very much injured, and he received a bruise on his cheekbone.

Cross-examined:— George Coulter was drunk; John did not appear to be so.

Mary Elswood deposed to hearing cries of "murder," and "help" on the night in question. On going to the spot she saw Coulter lying on the ground struggling with Thatcher.

Charles White, police-constable, deposed that while on duty in High-street, on the night in question, he heard cries of "murder." On his way to the spot he met John Coulter without his cap, and afterwards met George Coulter pursued by a Scotchman. He picked Thatcher up, who was at the time covered with blood.

Henry Gilham, a lodger at the "Albion," deposed that he heard cries of "murder," and on looking out of the window he saw Thatcher on the ground with George Coulter upon him. John was kicking him about the head. John Coulter ran away first, and George Coulter stood there kicking him once or twice after.

Mr. Jonas King, surgeon, deposed that Thatcher came into his surgery, limping, about one o’clock in the night of the 19th February. He found he had a large bruise on the knee, and eight or ten upon his head, one of which was a very severe one, about an inch and a quarter long, and bleeding profusely.

Mr. Horn admitted the assault, but at the same time urged in extenuation that the act was committed in a moment of passion and when they were excited by drink.

The jury found the prisoners guilty, and his Lordship, after remarking on the serious nature of the assault, sentenced them to twelve months’ hard labour.