Charges of drunkenness and disorderly conduct and assaulting the police were at Ammanford on Thursday morning preferred against Gethin Davies, collier, of High-street, Ammanford.
Ivor Davies, a brother, attired in military uniform, being home on leave from the Grenadier Guards, was also charged with being drunk and disorderly the preceding night. The magistrates were Messrs. Henry Herbert (in the chair) and J. Lewis.
The charges against Gethin Davies were taken first of all, and he denied having assaulted P.C. Williams, as was alleged.
P. C. Williams stated that at about 11 o'clock the previous nigh he was called to Llewelyn's chip shop in High-street to eject the defendant, who was kicking up a row there.
Defendant was drunk, and upon witness' arrival he left the house and went a little way down the highway. He then became very disorderly, and would not go away, although he was requested to do so several times. Upon being taken into custody he aimed a blow at the police officer, and afterwards hit him several times about the face, and great difficulty was experienced in locking him up.
Defendant's version of the affair was that he was by the chip shop – not inside – about half past nine, when a “small bother” arose, and, directly, P. C. Williams pounced upon him as if he was a rabbit, and there was no occasion for it at all.
He was within ten yards of his own house. “The constable ought to be ashamed of himself for what he did,” added the defendant, with tears streaming down his face.
Clerk (to the Magistrates) : From what I understand, there has been a family bereavement.
P. C. Williams said the defendant had every possible chance to go away. When in drink he was a regular blackguard.
Defendant told the Bench that he had never given any trouble to the police before, and he could assure them he would never give it again.
The Chairman said defendant had pleaded guilty to the first charge, and, as it was his first offence, they would deal with him pretty leniently for that. He would be fined 1/- and costs.
The other offence was more serious, and he would like the defendant to understand that he was liable in respect of its commission to be set down to gaol. They had decided to fine him on that charge 10/- and costs.
The total fines and costs came to 23/10, and defendant was allowed time to find the money.
During the hearing of the charge of drunkenness and disorderly conduct indignant denials were given by Ivor Davies to the suggestion that he had threatened to stab another man with his knife. Incidentally , a new word was coined.
Defendant also denied the offence in respect of which he was charged, and Police-sergeant Britten gave evidence to the effect that at about 11 o'clock that night he was called to High-street, and by the Castle Hotel he saw the defendant, who was drunk, struggling on the ground with another man named Wm. Jenkins.
He separated them, and in consequence of what he was told by the crowd who surrounded the two combatants, and also what he himself saw, he arrested the defendant.
Defendant (drawing himself up to his full height) : Was I on the ground? – Yes, struggling with Jenkins.
But do you know the beginning of it? – Only what I was told.
Wasn't Will Jenkins holding me on the ground? – You were both struggling.
The police-sergeant, replying to another question, said he did not know whether the defendant had taken his brother away.
Defendant : Yes, I did, because he was a bit drunk. I took him to the house where he lives. I got the key from his pocket, and I was going to open the door when P. C. Williams took him form my hands, and then Will Jenkins collared me and put me on the floor. I never did nothing wrong – absolutely nothing.
P. S. Britten : What do you call it? You were struggling on the ground? – I know; Will Jenkins was holding on to me as if he was afraid of something.
“You had threatened him with your knife,” suggested the police sergeant, whereupon Davies exclaimed indignantly, “I have never threatened any man with a knife. I am no German; a Welshman I am, and I am proud of it. I admit I had a few glasses, but I was not drunk – far from it.”
P. C. Williams deposed that when he was called to the chip shop defendant was picking a quarrel with Wm. Jenkins. Defendant went outside, and between him and his brother they created an awful scene there.
Defendant : I beg your pardon, you never saw me talking to Wm. Jenkins? – I separated you.
“You're an untruther,” retorted Davies, who afterwards gave evidence, which was to the effect that both himself and his brother were in the Castle Hotel that night. He was in the kitchen, and his brother in the bar, some little distance away. The latter and Jenkins commenced quarrelling in the bar, so he went down and tried to persuade his brother to go to the house. They went out together, but his brother would call at the chip shop.
He remained outside. Somehow or other his brother insulted P. C. Williams, and then Wm. Jenkins came on to defendant and caught hold of him, put him on the ground and held him there firmly by the throat. “I did nothing at all to a breathing man,” he concluded.
P. S. Britten : Undoubtedly the brother was the instigator of this brawl, and not this man.
The Bench said they considered the case proved, but as he was serving his country they would let him off this time.
