RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2009, 12 June 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY,

(Before W. Fjbaseh, E?q., E.M.)

BEEACH OP THE PEACE

Patrick Clancy and Sampson Place were charged with that they did unlawfully commit a breach of the peace by fighting in a public place, to wit, in Brown street, Grahamstown, on the sth. instant.

Both pleaded not guilty—they were not fighting. . ' ; Wm. Coughlan, Constable, deposed— That he recolleGted the sth of the present month. He was on duty in Grahamstown on that day. He saw a lot of men running towards the Hazelbank. Hotel. Saw Clancy with blood on his face. Ho said he had been struck by the painter and some other man. Went into the Hotel and saw Place, who said that owing to some conversation that took place between them Clancy struck him, and he struck Clancy. He also said Clancy bit him, and showed witness the place. : Charles Crowel, miner, deposed—That he saw defendants in Brown street on the sth. They were having a squabble. Place was down and Clancy was on the top striking him. Fancied at first that the old painter, Lediard, was striking Place too, but subsequently learned that he was endeavoring to separate them. It was on the side of the street at the Hazelbank Hotel. Did not see any marks, but there was blood on the faces of both defendants. \

This concluded the evidence

Place said he and the painter were coming down the street together when Clancy came up and wanted them to come and have a drink. Place refused, because he saw that Clancy had already had too much. He followed, them down to the Hazelbanlr, and then on "being again refused, caught hold of Place, and endeavoured to pull him into the hotel. He endeavoured to get away from him, and in doing so Clancy fell down and pulled him (Place) after him. That wa» how they came to be seen on the ground together. It wa3 purely accidental, and neither of them bore the other any animosity. ; His Worship said he could not get over the fact of their having been found fighting in the streets, whether it was purely accidental or not. Each would be bound over in his own recognizances to keep the peace for three months. The Court then adjourned.