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MURDEROUS ASSAULT BY A GANG OF GIPSIES AT HILSEA.
On Good Friday evening a gang of gipsies, who had been drinking at the “Coach and Horses,” public house, at Hilsea, committed a violent and unprovoked assault upon several soldiers belonging to the Royal Artillery, and other persons, under the circumstances given below. On Saturday last, Morris Ayres, Mary Ayres, his wife, Sampson Ayres, their son, Michael Saunders, William Deakin, Noah Saunders, Richard Collinson, and Jeremiah Collinson, members of the Gipsy fraternity, were brought up in custody, at Fareham, before Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Bart., and Col. Le Blanc, charged with assault and riot.
Mr. Henry Ford, of Portsea, instructed by Major-General Lord William Paulet, C.B., commanding the South Western district, appeared for the prosecution; Mr. Field, of Gosport, appeared for the prisoners, with the exception of Noah Saunders, and the two Collinsons, who were not defended.
Mr. Ford stated the facts of the case, in an address of considerable length, and then called
—William Booth, a gunner in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Hilsea, who deposed: I had leave on Good Friday evening, and was in the tap-room of the “Coach and Horses,” with a man whom I do not know, and a number of gipsies. We were there for about an hour and a half. Everything was quiet and orderly inside. The gipsies had something to drink; one of them paid for some beer, and my companion treated them to some more. About a quarter or half-past ten o’clock, the gipsies went out of the tap-room. I identify Mary Ayres, Michael Saunders, and Jeremiah Collinson, as having been in the tap-room; they went out with the others. I heard Collinson say—“I’m ------ if I don’t have a row with some one before I go home.” The woman of the house soon afterwards came in and said—“Murder; the gipsies are killing my husband.” I and my companion jumped up and went outside, when I saw a crowd round the landlord (Wilson). I went to him and saw the gipsies using large sticks like those produced. [The sticks were like those used at fairs for throwing at snuff boxes, &c.] Wilson was lying on the ground and the gipsies were beating him with the sticks. I cannot say how many used sticks. I got Wilson away from them and helped him into the house. Directly I got Mr. Wilson into the house I was passing through the passage on my way to the tap-room, when I heard another cry of “murder.” I went out again and saw another crowd.” I heard a young man crying—“Save me this time.” When I got up to the crowd, I saw P.C. Judd and Driver Sibthorp. Judd was making his way into the crowd to get the driver out; Sibthorp was down on the ground and the gipsies were pitching into him with large sticks, and kicking him. I assisted him to get away, when one of the gipsies came behind me and fetched me two blows on the shoulder with a stick. I cannot say who it was that struck me, but I saw the female prisoner handing sticks to the men, and I saw the prisoners Saunders and Jeremiah Collinson in the crowd. Each of them had a stick in his hand. There was a deal of talking and shouting going on, but I do not remember any particular expressions that were made use of. While Sibthorp was down, I saw Saunders strike him with a stick, which he [?] while he was striking him. He then went away. In consequence of the injuries which I received I was put under surgical treatment.
By Sir Lucius Curtis: I did not see any one strike the police-officer.
Cross-examined by Mr. Field: I was under surgical treatment for a week. There were some young gipsy women in the tap-room when I and the civilian were there. I was the only soldier there before the row commenced, and no other soldiers were present during the time I was there. I went to the “Coach and Horses” about eight or half-past eight o’clock. Neither I nor the civilian had a great deal to drink. I had not seen Michael Saunders before that evening, to my knowledge. It was a rather dark night.
Isaac Sibthorp, driver in the Royal Artillery, deposed: On Good Friday night I was returning to barracks with Corporal Delvin and his wife and Bombardier Fails. Delvin and his wife were a-head, and I and Fails were in the rear. When we got opposite the “Coach and Horses,” Fails and his wife were some distance ahead. I was sober and had a pass. I saw a number of gipsies, who were making a noise. I was going along quietly, when the prisoner Sampson Ayres struck me on the forehead with a stick similar to those produced, and knocked me down senseless. I am quite certain he is the man; there was light enough to enable me to distinguish him. When I came to my senses I was in the “Coach and Horses,” and a young woman was dressing my head. I also found bruises on my body, and my tunic was torn. Ayres was brought to me the same evening, I identified him as the man who struck me.
Cross-examined: I cannot say whether P.C. Judd had any other gipsies with him besides Ayres when he brought him to me. I saw him lift the stick to strike me; I had time to discern him. I had been to see a walking match. I had been into the “King and Queen” at Cosham, where we had one pot of ale between four of us. We had not been to any other public-house.
Anthony Fails, acting bombardier in the Royal Artillery, deposed to having been in the company of the last witness, when a man rushed out of the “Coach and Horses” and knocked Sibthorp down with a stick. He identified Sampson Ayres as the man. Witness continued—Before I could get any assistance I was knocked down by some one in the rear. I was struck on the back of the head with a stick. When I was down I called out for Corporal Delvin, and he came and got me away; four gipsies were attacking me while I was on the ground. Neither I nor Sibthorp had exchanged a word with them. There was a great number of people there.
Cross-examined: To my knowledge I had never seen Sampson Ayres before that day. We had about a pint of ale each at Cosham. We were quite sober.
Corporal Henry Delvin, Royal Artillery, deposed: Between ten and eleven o’clock on Good Friday I and my wife were returning from Cosham, accompanied by Sibthorp and Fails. I saw a crowd in front of the “Coach and Horses,” who were apparently gipsies. I and my wife were ahead and Fails and Sibthorp were in the rear. I heard Sibthorp cry out—“Corporal Delvin,” and as soon as my wife was out of harm’s way I went back to his assistance, when I saw him surrounded by four gipsies. He appeared to have been down, but he was then standing. Two of the men were running forward at him with sticks in their hands; I identify Morris Ayres as one of those who had a stick in his hand. I went to Fail’s assistance. The cry was universal among the gipsies that the soldiers were injuring them. As far as my observation went, the soldiers were not doing anything. Each soldier, as he came up to the spot, was knocked down or struck. Morris Ayres was the man I pulled off Fails when he was rushing towards him. Previous to this I had been knocked down by one of the crowd; I think it was by a blow from a stick. I took Fails home. I swear to the best of my belief that Jeremiah Collinson was there.
Capt. Forrest, the chief constable of the county force, who occupied a seat on the bench, was speaking to the magistrates and their clerk, when—
Mr. Field remarked that he thought it would be better that Capt. Forrest should not interfere, but that the case for the prosecution should be left in the hands of Mr. Ford, who was well able to conduct it.
Delvin, in answer to Mr. Field, said: I did not see Morris Ayres strike any one, but I saw him with a stick uplifted, when I rushed towards him. I only had a glass and a half of ale at Cosham.
P.C. Judd, of the Hants constabulary, stationed at Hilsea, deposed: About a quarter past ten o’clock on the evening of Good Friday, I was on duty at Hilsea and went towards the “Coach and Horses,” which is on the road from Cosham to Hilsea barracks. My attention was attracted to a lot of gipsies who were in the road; there were between 30 and 40 of them. I saw one soldier lying on his face near the door of the “Coach and Horses.” I also saw five or six gipsies kicking him and making use of the expression “Murder the ------ soldier.” I ordered them to desist, but they did not, and I took two of three of them away from him. They then ran upon me; I stepped back from them to draw my staff. They were coming at me again, when I struck one of them—I believe Michael Saunders. My staff snapped in two; one or two of them were coming at me again, when I received a blow which made me stagger. Four or five of them seized me and threw me on the ground. I heard some of them exclaim “Murder the ------ policeman, kill him; kick him!” The men had sticks similar to those produced, some of them had long sticks, like those on which the snuff boxes are placed. All this time I had lost sight of the soldiers, and had enough to do to take care of myself. I was very much injured about the head and face. After I got up a second time I got another violent blow on the face; also one on the head with a stick. Finding that I was getting very weak, I went towards Cosham to get assistance from my brother constables. I got the assistance of two constables and two coastguard-men, we then returned; the gipsies were gone from the “Coach and Horses” and we went down Copnor-lane after them, and took Sampson Ayres into custody. I took him back to the “Coach and Horses,” where I found Sibthorp and Fails, and the latter identified him as the man who struck him. I kept Ayres in custody and brought him to Fareham the same night. I saw Morris Ayres at the van when I took his father into custody. The next day I apprehended Deakin six miles the other side of Chichester, driving very furiously towards Arundel. I told him he was charged with assaulting the police at Hilsea on the previous night, but he denied having been there. I found some sticks produced in the road at Hilsea.
Cross-examined: When I took Sampson Ayres, to the “Coach and Horses,” he was the only person I had in custody. I cannot exactly say what words I used to Sibthorp. I don’t recollect saying to him, “Can you identify this man?” When I took Deakin into custody, he was he was at Lumps Fort, on Good Friday evening, and that he had been there for some time past. I don’t know whether Morris Ayres came and gave himself up at the station.
Edward Parnell, a young man, deposed: I was passing the “Coach and Horses,” at Hilsea, on Good Friday evening between ten and eleven o’clock. I saw a crowd of gipsies there; they were creating a great disturbance. I did not see anything in their hands. I saw Deakin there, he was one of those who were shouting and making a row.
Cross-examined: I had never seen Deakin before that night. I did not hear him say anything. I had been at the “Ship Inn,” from 8 until 10 o’clock. I did not have above a pint of beer.
John Miller, gunner in the Royal Artillery, deposed: I came out of Hospital to attend here to day and give evidence. I have been in Hospital since Good Friday. On the evening of that day, between 10 and 11 o’clock, I was passing the “Coach and Horses,” on my way to barracks. I went in, when I heard the landlady crying out that some one was killing her husband outside. I had had nothing to drink there. When I heard a noise I ran out, and saw the prisoner Deakin.
Deakin: You would swear a man’s life away wilfully;
Mr. Ford: Are you sure it was him?
Witness: Yes. I asked him what was up, and he replied “Down with the ------” or words to that effect. I then got a crack. He had a large stick in his hand; I received the blow from him, and it knocked me down senseless. I had not done a ha’porth to any of them men; I had not been in the house half a minute. I was also struck across the jaw and on the thigh and body. When I came to myself I was being taken away to barracks.
Mr. Ford: Have you any doubt that Deakin is the person who spoke to you, and then knocked you down?
Witness: Not the least.
Cross-examined: I had never seen Deakin before that night. I had been to a publichouse at Cosham, where I had a couple of glasses of ale. I had not been drinking in the afternoon.
George Matthews: I am a labourer living at Hilsea. I was in the tap-room of the “Coach and Horses” on Good Friday evening. I recollect seeing Booth there with a civilian. I saw Morris Ayres, Mary Ann Ayres, and Michael Saunders, in the publichouse. There were a number of gipsies there. Everything went on quietly in the tap-room. I remember, as they went out, two of them said, “We are come for a row, and we’ll have it.” I went out into the road where I saw the gipsies ill-using P.C. Judd with sticks, similar to those produced; one of them had a long stick. Judd was almost senseless from a blow on his head. One of them was in the act of striking Judd, when I ran in and threw him down. I don’t know who it was as I had just come from the light into the dark. I could not identify any one. When I went out I saw some of the party kicking Miller, who was on the ground at the time. I went to Miller’s assistance and got kicked by a gipsy named Ayres, who is not in custody. The crowd kept crying out “Murder the ------; murder the ------ policeman!” When I was stooping down to pick up the soldier, one of the gipsies kicked me in the eye and I fell backwards. On the following morning I found that I had been kicked about the ribs. I saw the sticks used as weapons and as missiles.
Cross-examined: It was rather difficult, coming out of the public-house to see the countenances of the people. I went to the public-house about 7 o’clock, and remained there until between ten and eleven o’clock.
Robert Wilson deposed: I assist my mother-in-law Mrs. Neat at the “Coach and Horses.” We had a party of gipsies in the house on the night of the 18th. They went out about half-past ten o’clock. After the had left the house, I heard a noise at the door, and I went out, when I saw P.C. Judd. He was going towards the gipsies to try and separate them. They were beating him with sticks, and he pulled out his staff. I went to his assistance. He called me by name, said that his staff was broken, and asked me to get some weapon in order that he might defend himself. I went and fetched a whip. I called “Where are you Judd?” but did not receive any answer. I then went towards the crowd and called for him a second time. I was struck across the face with a stick and was rendered senseless. When I came to myself I was in a meadow. The female prisoner was among them, and Michael Saunders was the man who struck me with the stick.
Sergeant Brinston, of the Hants Constabulary, deposed that he approached the two Collinsons, and Noah Saunders. He produced two sticks which he received at Hilsea barracks. He searched the van belonging to Morris Ayres, and found a stick stained with blood.
P.C. Day, of the Hants Constabulary, deposed that he took Michael Saunders into custody. He asked him how he got the swollen eye, and he said he fell down. Witness remarked “You were knocked down,” and he replied, “Yes.”
Mr. E. G. Moot, surgeon, Royal Artillery, deposed that he had had Miller and Booth under his charge. Miller had a very severe scalp wound 2½ inches long on the top of his head, and a severe wound across the left jaw. He had been under treatment ever since Good Friday night, and he only came out of hospital for the purpose of attending there that day. The wound on the head might have been inflicted by a stick similar to those produced. Booth had a contusion of the left shoulder. Miller had a mark across the chest, which might have been caused by a light cart passing over him. His mouth was very much cut inside, and his teeth were loosened.
Colonel Anderson, Royal Artillery, deposed that on Saturday morning, the 19th inst., he saw several men in barracks who had been injured on the previous night. He warned his men not to take the law in their own hands, and that he would see to the matter. He took charge of two sticks which he received in barracks. His men could have driven the gipsies out of the neighbourhood.
Mr. Ford said that was the whole of the evidence he proposed to offer that day. The Bench would see that there was no evidence against Richard Collinson and Noah Saunders, and he, therefore, asked that they might be discharged; and the Bench ordered them to be discharged accordingly.
Mr. Field addressed the magistrates for the prisoners, contending that the evidence of identity was very weak. He said he had evidence to call to prove an alibi on the part of Deakin, and urged that the woman was acting under the direction of her husband and could not therefore, be convicted.
Mr. Ford said he was willing to leave it to the discretion of the magistrates as to whether they would hear evidence for the defence. If Mr. Field proved everything he stated, his alibi would not be strong enough to save Deakin; indeed it was one of the weakest he ever heard of. In cases of misdemeanour, married women were not exonerated from the responsibility of their own acts by the presence of their husbands.
After some discussion the Bench retired, and on returning into court Sir Lucius Curtis said—We have duly considered the evidence in this case and we have made up our minds to send it for trial at the Sessions. With regard to hearing evidence to prove an alibi, we feel that by doing so we should be trying the case, which is not within our province, and looking at the conflict of evidence which must arise, we think it better not to head evidence but leave it to a jury to consider. With regard the female prisoner, we have endeavoured to take a lenient view of her case, but seeing that she took an active part in the affair, instead of quieting the men, we consider she aided and abetted them. We therefore commit the whole of the prisoners for trial at the next sessions to be holden at Winchester.
Mr. Field said that when the woman was taken into custody, she had £8 in her possession, which she wished to be given up to her husband’s mother for the support of her children.
The Bench gave an order to that effect.
The witnesses were bound over to appear at the trial, and the prisoners were removed.
— Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette, Saturday 03 May, 1862 source
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A GANG OF TRAMPERS IN TROUBLE.— At the Fareham Police Court, on Saturday, before Sir Lucius Curtis, Bart., and Colonel Le Blanc—Morris Ayres and Mary his wife, Sampson Ayres, Michael Saunders, Noah Saunders, William Derkin, Jeremiah Collison, and Richard Collison, part of a tribe of gipsies, (real or sham) was brought up in custody, on remand, and charged with having, on the 18th inst. at Hilsea, unlawfully created a riot and disturbance, and assaulting John Miller, a driver in the Royal Artillery, and Henry Judd, a police constable, while in the execution of his duty, and other persons. Henry Ford, of Portsea, attended to support the charge, and Mr. Field of Gosport, for all the defendants except the two Collisons. The case excited considerable interest.—The first witness, Wm. Booth, deposed that he was a gunner in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Hilsea. On Good Friday night he was at the Coach and Horses, public-house there, in company with a man and a number of gipsies. About quarter-past 10 o’clock the gipsies left the house. He identified three of the prisoners, viz., Mary Ayres, Michael Saunders, and Jeremiah collison, as having been in the house and going out with the others. Shortly after a woman came in and cried out murder. In consequence he and the other man went outside and saw a crowd of gipsies round the landlord, striking him with large sticks like those now produced (used for playing the well-known game of “Aunt Sally”). The landlord was then on the ground. They got the gipsies from him and got him into the house. He then heard again the cry of “Murder,” and again went outside, and saw another crowd and the Police.constable Judd and Driver Sibthorpe—the former was making into the crowd to get the latter out, who was on the ground and the gipsies pitching into him with the sticks and kicking him; that he (witness) helped to get Sibthorpe away, when one of the gipsies came behind him and gave him two blows with a stick. He saw the woman handing sticks to the men, and Michael Saunders and Jeremiah Collinson in the crowd; there was a good deal of loud talk and shouting going on, and while Sibthorpe was down he saw Michael Saunders strike him with a stick. A mass of other evidence was adduced in support of the charge. Mr. Ford said that was the whole of the evidence he proposed to offer that day. The bench would see that there was no evidence against Richard Collison and Noah Saunders, and he, therefore, asked that they might be discharged; and the bench ordered them to be discharged accordingly.—Mr. Field addressed the magistrates for the prisoners, contending that the evidence of identity was very weak. He said he had evidence to call to prove an alibi on the part of Deakin, and urged that the woman was acting under the direction of her husband, and could not, therefore, be convicted.—Mr. Ford said he was willing to leave it to the direction of the magistrates as to whether they would hear evidence for the defence. If Mr. Field proved anything he stated, his alibi would not be strong enough to save the prisoners; indeed, it was one of the weakest he ever heard of. In cases of misdemeanour married women were exonerated from the responsibility of their own acts by the presence of their husbands. After some discussion the bench retired, and on returning into court Sir Lucius Curtis said,—We have duly considered the evidence in this case, and we have made up our minds to send it for trial at the sessions. With regard to hearing evidence to prove an alibi, we feel that by doing so we should be trying the case, which is not within our province; and, looking at the conflict of evidence which must arise, we think it better not to hear evidence, but leave it to a jury to consider. With regard to the female prisoner, we have endeavoured to take a lenient view of her case; but seeing that she took an active part in the affair, instead of quieting the men, we consider she aided and abetted them. We therefore commit the whole of the prisoners for trial at the next sessions to be holden at Winchester.—Mr. Field said that when the woman was taken into custody she had £8 in her possession, which she wished to be given up to her husband’s mother for the support of her children.—The bench gave an order to that effect.—The witnesses were bound to appear at the trial, and the prisoners were removed.
— Hampshire Advertiser, Saturday 03 May, 1862 source
Either the ages are wrong in the first paragraph below, or the father/son relationship in the Ayres family is the wrong way around.
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RIOTING AT HILSEA.
Morris Ayres, 50, Sampson Ayres, 17, Michael Saunders, 42, William Deacon, 20, (on bail), and Jeremiah Collison, 17, were indicted for unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously, in concert with Mary Ayres and divers other persons, assembling together and making a great noise, riot, and disturbance, and then and there assaulting and beating John Miller and Henry Judd, a police constable, and divers other persons at Hilsea, on the 18th of April, 1862; and Mary Ayres was indicted with aiding and assisting the aforesaid named prisoners. There were several other counts in the indictment in which they were severally and collectively charged with assaulting the before named John Miller and Henry Judd, and other persons.
Mr. Bentham, with Mr. Russell, conducted the prosecution.
The prisoners Morris Ayres and Sampson Ayres were defended by Mr. Way; Mr. Bowen appeared for Saunders; Mr. Bullen, for Deacon; and Mr. Yonge, for Mary Ayres. The prisoner Collison was undefended.
Mr. Bretham, in opening the case, described it as one of the most heartless, brutal, and unprovoked assaults that he ever heard of. The prisoners, it would appear, were at the “Coach and Horses,” at Hilsea, on Good Friday, and a gunner of the Royal Artillery, named William Booth, was standing at the bar. Between 11 and 12 o’clock the gipsies left the house, and in going out were heard to say “They would have a row with some one before they went home.” As soon as they got outside they were met by some other gipsies, and soon after cries of “Murder!” were heard as if proceeding from a woman. The cry was heard again, and then Mrs. Wilson went running into the house crying the gipsies were murdering her husband. Booth went outside to assist him, when he was knocked down by a blow. Another soldier named Sibthorp came up and was knocked down; and the policeman, Judd, then came up, and he was knocked down and ill-treated. Another soldier was passing the house at the time and he was likewise knocked down, as was also a corporal in the Artillery who, with his wife, was passing the “Coach and Horses,” when the gipsies set upon the corporal and knocked him down. Other persons shared the same treatment; in fact, it was dangerous for anybody passing the spot. He then called different witnesses, who recognised the whole of the prisoners as being present; but the chief evidence was that of
P.C. Judd, who said he was now a sergeant in the Hants constabulary. On Good Friday last he was on duty near the “Coach and Horses,” where he saw a lot of gipsies. He told them to go on. On coming back in five minutes afterwards he heard a row, and saw the soldier Sibthorp lying on the ground with the gipsies beating him with short thick sticks and kicking him about the body. He went to his assistance, and in attempting to assist Sibthorp he received a blow in the back of the head, which rendered him senseless. While down he was knocked about, beaten with sticks, and kicked about the body. While on the ground he heard continual cries of “Kill the b------ policeman,” “Murder him,” and other cries. He at last managed to get away, and went to Cosham for assistance. He afterwards found one of the sticks in the road in front of the “Coach and Horses.” He also went after Saunders, whom he apprehended. He identified the man Ayres and also Saunders, about whose head he broke his staff in the scuffle.
At the conclusion of the evidence the learned Chairman directed the jury to dismiss from their minds all knowledge of a riot—for to be a riot it must have been preconcerted by three or more persons, and in this case such did not appear to be.
Mr. Yonge then addressed the Bench, and took several objections to the indictment, for it was stated that the prisoners were indicted for an assault on several persons, in fact eight witnesses had been put in the witness box, all of whom had received injuries more or less from one or the other of the prisoners. The prisoners ought, therefore, to have been severally put on their trial for an assault.
The other learned counsel followed with the same objections, and ultimately the Chairman directed an acquittal in the case of all the prisoners.
The case was watched by a Court crowded with gipsies, who marked with great interest ano[?] point in favour of the prisoners, and the success of the legal objections taken gave them the utmost satisfaction.
This brought the Sessions to a close at six o’clock on Thursday evening.
— Hampshire Telegraph, Saturday 05 July 1862 source
Samuel Neat died in 1855, and the husband who is attacked is Robert Wilson (“when I saw a crowd round the landlord (Wilson)”).
As far as I can tell Lucy Neat is still the licensee at this point, but most of the day-to-day work and management must be being done by her daughter (“the woman of the house”) and son-in-law.
The testimony is out of order. I think the sequence of events is:
Sibthorp, Delvin and Fails are attacked.
P.C. Judd goes to the assistance of Sibthorp, Delvin and Fails
Robert Wilson goes to the assistance of P.C. Judd.
William Booth goes to the assistance of Robert Wilson
William Booth goes to the assistance of Isaac Sibthorp
P.C. Judd heads to Cosham looking for reinforcements
The assailants head south down Copnor Road
P.C. Judd returnsAt some point in there Delvin and Fails get away home, leaving Sibthorp to be rescued.
Question
I know I’ve read a quote somewhere about the lanes around Baffins Farm having a lot of caravans in them. Could that be where the assailants are headed? Could they be doing farm work?