Assaulting A Woman

Samuel Kelly, collier, Denaby, was charged with assaulting Henrietta Sparks, married woman, Denaby, on the 23rd ult. Mr. Hall appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Verity for the defence.

Complainant said on the 23rd ult. she went to Mexboro’ market, and on returning saw Kelly’s brother-in-law, Potts, who was fighting with another man. When she got home Kelly came to her house and struck her, knocking her down with her head on the sofa, causing her nose to bleed and her eyes to be blackened. Defendant kicked her when she was on the ground. She fetched a policeman.

In cross-examination, witness said she told the defendant that if he paid her a sovereign she would settle the matter. She picked a poker up, and flourished it about, but did not strike the defendant with it. Jane Shepherd stated that she saw the defendant strike the complainant on the face and side of his fist. Defendant told her that if she came as a witness he would make it warm for her husband. Sarah Ann Hepden and Caroline Hall also gave evidence for the complainant.

For the defence, Mr. Verity denied that his client had struck the complainant, and called Eliza Swift, wife of John Swift, collier, Denaby, who stated that Potts and Sparks were fighting in the street. Mrs. Sparks went indoors to fetch the poker and stumbled over the doorstep and fell on her forehead. All of them had had plenty to drink. Elijah Potts said he went to Mexboro’ and was fighting with Sparks nearly all the way home. They were both drunk when they arrived. He did not pull Sparks off his doorstep. He was struck on the head with a poker, but he could not see much that night, as his vision was not very good. (Laughter.)

Stephen McGrath, collier, said he lived opposite Sparks’ house. He heard Kelly say that Mrs. Sparks had struck him with a poker. Potts and Sparks had five rounds in the street, and one on his doorstep.

The Bench considered that the fight was between the whole of the Kelly family and the Sparkes.

A penalty of 40s. and £1 5s. costs was inflicted.