Dover Telegraph 23 December 1843.

Kent Assizes:

George Watts and John Miller were charged with the manslaughter of Richard Spencer at Folkestone. Sir Walter Riddell conducted the prosecution, and stated the facts to the jury. The learned counsel said he would at once state that this was not a case arising out of previous malice, or containing any circumstances of peculiar aggravation, but arose out of a quarrel between the parties, who were both in the coast guard service, and were somewhat excited by liquor. He did not believe there was any ill-design against Spencer. The party had been out exercising, and after being dismissed went to a public house, where a misunderstanding took place, and on their way home, while passing through a field there was a proposal to fight it out. Several gentlemen, among whom was Earl Radnor, happened to be in the field, who interposed and would not allow the fight to take place. The party moved on, but shortly after, in another field, a fight took place. After fighting several rounds the deceased fell down, and was carried home, apparently suffering severe internal injury, and died soon after. It appeared that he had been suffering from a diseased state of the intestines, which probably predisposed to a more fatal result from other injury, but still if he was only so diseased that he might have lived for years but for the injury he received during the fight, the prisoners would justly be called to account for having been the immediate cause of his death. Several witnesses having been examined, the jury found Watts Guilty, Miller Not Guilty.

To be imprisoned for one calendar month.