From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 14 April, 1871. Price 1d.

ASSAULT

Josiah Hurst was charged with assaulting Henry Baker.

It appeared that both the men were occasionally employed as lightermen, and that the complainant had offered to work for a lower price than the defendant thought reasonable. Hence the assault.

The complainant said that on Monday last, about six o'clock, he was in the taproom of the "Trinity Pilot" public-house, Commercial Quay, having "a quiet pint of beer," when the defendant, who was also in the room, gave a couple of blows on the left side of the face, exclaiming, "You're one of the men who offered to do the work." There had been no previous quarrel between himself and the defendant.

The defendant denied that he had had no provocation .The complainant called him a gray-headed old pensioner, and, puffing a cigar in his face in an insulting manner, told him he was no man. He therefore gave him a "back-handed touch" in his face; that was all.

The defendant called two witnesses who corroborated his statement.

The Bench, considering the provocation that had been given, decided on dismissing the case.