Saturday, May 29, 2010

Disturbance in Brompton Park

There was a large and excited crowd 
in Mann-street, Brompton Park, on 
Saturday evening.It was described at 
the Magistrates' Court, Hindmarsh, as 
a "hooting howling mob". The 
disturbance was caused by the arrest 
of Alfred Ernest Jones by Constable 
Amy, on a charge of drunkenness. At 
the Magistrates' Court, Hindmarsh, on 
Monday, Alfred Ernest Jones pleaded 
guilty to a charge of having been 
drunk in Mann street, Brompton 
Park,on Saturday evening, and was 
fined 10/. Jones pleaded not guilty 
to a charge of having used indecent 
language. Constable Amy gave evidence 
in support of the charge, and this 
was corroborated by Sergeant Radford.
Myrtle Alma Hayward, called by Jones, 
said she was "coming around the 
corner" wheeling an invalid's chair, 
when she invited Jones to have a 
ride, and he said,"Yes". The 
constable touched Jones on the 
shoulder, and both walked away eight 
or nine yards. She did not hear what 
the constable said, but Jones 
replied, "I am going home." The 
constable pulled him from the fence 
he had his hands on, and threw him to 
the ground, when she said "Oh, you 
coward." She admitted having heard 
the filthy language, and said, "What 
the constable said about it is true." 
Jones was fined one pound and costs 
15/.

Jones was then charged by Sergeant 
Radford with having resisted 
Constable Amy in the execution of his 
duty. Amy said it was about 7:30 p.m. 
on Saturday when he arrested Jones, 
who walked a little way and then 



gripped hold of a picket fence. He 
tried to induce him to go along to 
the police-station quietly, and told 
him he would let go his hold if he 
would do so. He had to pull Jones off 
the fence, and when the accused got 
to his feet he struck him and said, 
"Take that you ---" Jones would not 
come with him, and resisted for about 
30 minutes before the arrival of 
Sergeant Radford. He had to throw 
Jones in self-defence, and did not 
use any more force than was 
necessary. There was a big crowd, but 
no one assisted, and some fighting 
was going on.
sergeant Radford said it took about 
40 minutes to get Jones from 
Mann-street to the police-station.
Jones-Wasn't I unconscious three 
times?
The Sergeant said when he arrived 
Jones was kicking Amy on the back and 
loins and using disgusting language. 
There was a howling mob around, and 
this made things worse. Jones 
struggled all the way to the 
police-station.
William Howard Bushbridge, called by 
Jones, said the accused was 'pretty 
fair, but able to look after 
himself." he was not aware that Jones 
was under arrest, and said to the 
constable, "Will you mind letting me 
take him home to have a sleep?"
Edward Noakes stated that Amy asked 
Jones to go to the police-station, 
and the reply was, "No, I'll go home 
and have a sleep." Jones had not a chance to resist.

Jones said he became unconscious three times. His head was cut open by a fall.
Sergeant Radford-Didn't you get that by a trap accident! - I decline to answer.
Were you arrested on Christmas Day!-I decline to answer.
Were you prosecuted for resisting the police!-I decline to answer.

The court believed the evidence of the police. Jones was fined three pounds and cost 15/. or in default two months in gaol.

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889-1931), Tuesday 17 January 1911, page 9

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