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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 03 Jul 1935
Page 2 Column 3
TRAMP'S KNIFE ATTACK.
TAUNTON YOUTH INJURED.
ACCUSED “PROBABLY PROVOKED.”
William John SAUNDERS, pedlar, of no fixed address, was charged on remand at Taunton Borough Police-court on Wednesday with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Walter Edward OATEN with a knife. - He pleaded not guilty.
OATEN, a labourer, living at 59, Baldwin-road, Taunton, stated that on June 17th, at 2.15 p.m., he was passing through Roman-road-lane when he saw SAUNDERS, with a table-knife in his hand, chasing a number of children. Witness spoke to him, and he threatened him with the knife and used indecent language to him. He waited for a friend in Roman-road-lane, and they watched SAUNDERS chasing the children. Witness then went to him and said, “Put that knife down or I will take you in the field.” When witness threatened to send for the police, SAUNDERS dived at him with the knife, tearing his shirt from his back, and cutting his head. He had to go to the hospital and have two stitches inserted.
BRANDISHING A KNIFE.
William Henry YARDE, labourer, of 2, Wheatley-crescent, said he heard the children crying and screaming. SAUNDERS was sitting in the path brandishing the knife and scaring the children. He would not let them pass, and was swearing at them. OATEN told him to put the knife down. He struck him with it, and they struggled on the ground, both rolling down the bank together.
Superintendent FRY: Did you, OATEN, or anyone else, interfere with him? - No. We only asked him to put the knife down, and OATEN said, “If you want to fight it out properly, come in the field.”
SAUNDERS told the magistrates he had been on the road for about eleven years in that district. He made a can of tea and sat down in the lane to have his dinner.
OATEN then approached, and told him he had no right to be there. He went away and returned with others, who began to torment him. “I am sorry I used the knife. I ought to have used my fists.” he added. “OATEN caused the whole of the trouble himself.”
The Mayor: Before he said anything to you were you frightening the children? - I only ran after them for a bit of fun.
Superintendent FRY handed a typewritten report to the Chairman, but it was not read.
“PROBABLY PROVOKED.”
After the Bench had retired, the Mayor said they felt that accused was probably provoked, but that did not justify his action. “We have no alternative but to sentence you to two months' imprisonment in the Second Division.” he added, “You will be well cared for and probably feel better for it.”
SAUNDERS: I don't think I should be sent to prison. I have always gone along straight.
The Bench refused to allow witnesses' expenses.