Preece Family Tree

[EXETER GUILDHALL. SATURDAY.]
Thomas Knowles was charged with assaulting Thomas Dare, the landlord of the Elephant and Castle Inn, Summerland-street, with whom he had lodged for some time. Mr. Floud appeared for the prosecution, and from the statements elicited it appeared that the parties, in consequence of a disagreement between them as to the tenancy, came to blows. Joseph Southard, who had been in the employ of complainant, was called as a witness. He stated that on Tuesday last he heard Knowles threaten to knock Dare down and kill him. Witness put his hands on dependant's shoulders, and did his best to calm the storm, but Knowles gave the landlord a severe blow, he being irritated at his having threatened to put in a distraint for rent. Knowles admitted having hit complainant five or six times but said he did not owe any rent, and he should bring an action for scandal against Dare; he had already instructed his solicitor complainant had done great damage to his property. The assault appeared to the Bench of a savage and unprovoked character and they inflicted a penalty of £1 and costs, with the alternative of a fortnight's imprisonment.