Cambridge Independent Press 26 Feb 1887: P.C. Vialls assaulted

A VIOLENT CUSTOMER.

Charles Campion, described as a labourer, late of Liverpool, was charged on remand with begging at Trumpington, on the 13th instant. He was further charged with assaulting P.c. Vialls at the same time and place. — Prisoner pleaded guilty. — P.c. Vialls deposed that he saw the prisoner receive alms of four persons, near the church, at Trumpington, in consequence of which he went up to him, and told him he should take him into custody. Prisoner then struck him on the back of the arm with the stick (produced), and in other parts of the body, and kicked him into the ditch. Witness had to call on two Trumpington men to assist him. He searched the prisoner, and found 1s. 2d in coppers on him. On the road to Cambridge, the prisoner resisted again, and in the struggle both fell to the ground. Witness found it necessary to “draw” the prisoner into a public house, and to get a conveyance in order to bring him to the Police-station. The prisoner was quite sober. — Prisoner asked to be allowed to go, as he had been locked up since Sunday. — Then Chairman said there could not be a clearer case against him. — Deputy Chief Constable Stretten said that the prisoner had been twice previously convicted. When formerly before the Bench, prisoner said he belonged to Leeds: but this time said he came from Liverpool. Mr. Stretten thought he belonged to anywhere. — Prisoner said that if the magistrates would let him off this time he would not do anything of the kind again, but would go home. — The Chairman said that the prisoner would go to prison for fourteen days for begging, and after that he would undergo another three months for assaulting the police. The magistrates were determined to protect the police while in the execution of their duty. The police acted in defence of the peaceable people in the country, and they were a great advantage to everybody. Wherever a constable was assaulted in the execution of his duty, and it was clearly proved that there was no provocation given to the defendant, the Bench would always deal severely with the case.