Assault On A Barrister At Denaby

On Monday, at the West Riding Police Court, held at Rotherham, before Mr. H. Jubb (chairman), Major Robinson, and other magistrates, a case in which Mr. Wm. Cordeaux, barrister-at-law, summoned Mr. Robert Liversidge, a farmer residing at Hooton Roberts, with an assault, was heard.

A cross summons charged Mr. Cordeaux with an assault on Mr. Liversidge. Mr. Hickmott appeared for Mr. Liversidge, and Mr. Cordeaux conducted his own case.

In opening the proceedings, Mr. Cordeaux said he appeared in support of a summons which he had taken out against Mr. Robert Liversidge, a farmer of Hooton Roberts. He also appeared in obedience to a summons which Mr. Liversidge had taken out against him for an assault alleged to have been committed at the same time and place.

The first summons was taken out on the Thursday, three days after the first summons was taken out. Mr. Liversidge was not only his oldest neighbour, but also one of his (Mr. Cordeaux’s) father’s parishioners, and he had no alternative in taking those proceedings. He would have been wanting in self-respect had he not availed himself of the means provided by the law for obtaining redress for the wrong done him.

Up to the date when the assault was committed no words had passed between himself and Mr. Liversidge; they had not spoken to each other for eight or nine months. The last time he had spoken to Mr. Liversidge he had given him some professional advice, and they were friendly. Mr. Liversidge, like many country parishioners, was party to what he might call a little ecclesiastical squabble — a little difference concerning Church matters.

The Chairman asked whether he would be satisfied if Mr. Liversidge made an apology. Mr. Cordeaux said he felt bound to go on with the case.

He then referred to certain church windows which had been broken, apparently by stones from a catapult. The windows had been put in by his own exertions, and he took considerable interest in them. From information received, the police went to Mr. Liversidge’s house. Mr. Liversidge’s son admitted having used a catapult and might have broken the window.

Mr. Cordeaux stated that on Friday, the 21st instant, he left Sheffield by the 4.50 express for Swinton. He walked from Swinton to Mexborough, and then by footpath towards Hooton Roberts. When near the junction of the Denaby and Kilnhurst road he suddenly came upon Mr. Liversidge round the corner.

He was deep in thought at the time, and came close up to him suddenly. The gate was open about four and a half. He had a thick stick in his hand. Mr. Liversidge said: “It’s you, William Cordeaux, is it, thou art a —— rascal.” He (Mr. Cordeaux) was stunned for a moment. Mr. Liversidge then said he would teach him to extort money from him, and obtain money by false pretences.

He became more agitated, waved his stick as if to strike, and witness withdrew. He went to the mill in the garden and asked him to come over there with two assistants, but he did not do so. The blacksmith had gone on, and he signalled to him to come back, but he looked round and took no further notice.

It is in the employ of Mr. Liversidge that the blacksmith was working. Witness kept pressing him to face the accusation. Mr. Liversidge shouted, “I challenge you to prove what you say,” and repeated the challenge. Witness did not accept it.

Mr. Liversidge denied using any violence. He admitted carrying a stick, but said he had never attempted to strike Mr. Cordeaux. He denied threatening him or extorting money. He stated that the windows in question were broken by the wind during a gale, and that it was absurd to suggest otherwise. He declared that if any boy had broken them he would have had them repaired.

He admitted calling after Mr. Cordeaux when he was about fifty yards away, and saying, “I challenge you.” He did not threaten him or attempt to stop him from going on his way. He had never touched him with a stick in his life.

Evidence was also given by several witnesses, including a blacksmith named Enoch Edge, who stated he did not see any disturbance between the two parties on the day named.

The Chairman, in summing up, said the Bench were of opinion that an assault, though not a serious one, had been committed. As Mr. Cordeaux did not ask for a heavy penalty, they would only impose a fine of 40s., including costs, and order Mr. Liversidge to be bound over in the sum of £20 in his own recognisances to keep the peace for six months. The cross case would be dismissed.