BAILIFF ATTACKED

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 July 1932, Page 3

BAILIFF ATTACKED

tithe dispute incident.

LONDON, June 17’,

A case arising from the non-pay-ment of tithe was heard at Wingham Petty Sessions, Dover, yesterday. Frederick Stephen Solley, Frederick Hobbs, Frederick Newing, Bill Amos, Timothy Watkins, and Frederick Ernest George Chown were summoned for, it was alleged, asaulting and beating’ William Gribben, at Great Mongeham, Kent. Solley was also summoned for inciting. Mr H. S. Parham, prosecuting, said that a most cowardly and brutal attack had been made on a defenceless man. Gribben, was a possession man put into Solley’s premises on May 11 by the county court bailiff. While he was sitting in the scullery of the farmhouse defendants entered, placed a scarf round his neck, carried him to a cowshed, and then to a piece of. waste ground, where he was thrown into a cesspool. Solley appeared to be directing the proceedings, and afterwards said, “You should have thown him into the deeper one.” Mr B. H. Waddy (defending) said that defendants were very sorry for their conduct, and desired to apologise. The young man Gribben had previously worked on the farm, and two 1 of the defendants were quite young and of an age when, in otherstations of- life, they might be indulging in some of the “rags” that took place. Lord Fitz Walter said that the assault was a very disgusting one. Defendants had set their hands against the laws’ of the country. Solley was fined £2O, and Hobbs, Amos, and Chown £ 2 each. Solley was also ordered to pay 6gns costs. The summonses against Newing and Watkins were dismissed.