Cambridge Independent Press 3 Nov 1866: Thomas Marshall charged with assault

ASSAULT. — Thomas Marshall, Trumpington, was charged by James Berridge, a signalman on the London and North-western Railway, with having assaulted him on the 13th inst. — Complainant said that about ten o’clock on the above evening he was on duty as signalman, when defendant came up and showed him his forehead, stating that his (complainant) son had hit him with a stick. Marshall was then told that he ought to be ashamed of himself to knock a boy about as he had, whereupon he told complainant he would serve him the same. Complainant was then knocked down and “punch’d” while upon the ground. He then got up and was again knocked down, with his head across the rail and was picked up insensible and taken into the signal-house. — James Berridge, jun., a clerk in the booking-office, said he met Marshall by the side of the rail, when he put the light in witness’ face, and to defend himself he put up a stick and accidentally hit him upon the forehead, for which Marshall knocked him down. — Heard his father demonstrating with Marshall, and also saw the assault committed. — Other witnesses were called, who bore testimony to the above evidence. Mr. NAYLOR, who appeared for the defendant, said that it was a case which ought never to have been brought into court, and that he should be able to prove in the cross-summons that the complainant in this case, and his son, were the aggressors. — James Berridge, sen., and James Berridge, jun., were then charged by Thomas Marshall with having assaulted him. He said that it was his duty when he saw anyone upon the line to see who it was, and upon holding up his lantern James Merridge, jun., struck him upon the forehead with a stick and ran away. Complainant followed him and hit him with his hand upon the side of the head. The father interfered and was told by Marshall that he would have served him the same, had he have struck him with a stick. He also stated that Berridge, sen., struck the first blow. — A witness was called, who stated that he saw Marshall struck with a stick by Berridge, jun. — For the assault upon Berridge, sen., Marshall was fined 2s. 6d. and 11s. 6d. expenses; and Berridge jun., for the assault upon Marshall, 2s. 6d. and 10s. 6d. expenses.