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From the Kentish Gazette, 4 August 1857.
CROWN COURT. (Before Mr. Justice Willes.)
Attempted Highway Robbery.
John Smith, 23, was charged with assaulting George Greenstreet,
with intent to murder him, on the 18th of July last.
Mr. Ribton for the prosecution; Mr. Francis for the prisoner.
George Greenstreet said:— I am a carpenter, and on the 18th of
July I was returning home. I had called at the "White Horse,
Sandling, and after I had gone some distance I saw the prisoner, she
said "Greenstreet, are you going to Sutton?" I said "Yes" and asked
him if he was a Sutton man. As we went we passed through some
fields, and I said "If you are going to Sutton, come on." He was
behind at that moment, and just as I spoke he struck me on the head
with a bludgeon, which knocked me into the ditch, he repeated the
blow eight or nine times before I could get out, but when I did get
out I hit him with my fist and knocked him down. I got upon him, but
he cried "murder," four times, and succeeded in getting away from
me. I bled very much, and he was covered with blood. I went to the
constable, but he would not go with me. I then went home, and next
morning I got up and went to a doctor’s and had my head dressed, and
I then got another constable to go to the place. We found there my
hat and handkerchief, and a bludgeon.
Some further evidence having been taken, Mr. Francis made an able
speech for the defence.
Verdict:— "Guilty of unlawfully wounding," - Eight months’ hard
labour.
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