Preece Family Tree

EXETER POLICE ASSAULTED

WIFE PLEADS FOR DEFENDANT

An accident, gastric trouble, a letter, and a grudge culminated in an assault upon a police inspector in High-street, Exeter. As a result William Henry Nicks (46), railway porter, of 56, Paris-street, Exeter, was bound over for 12 months in the sum of £20 at Exeter yesterday, and his wife was bound over as surety.

Inspr. K. Steer said at 6.35 p.m. on October 20 P.C. Taylor was on duty in High-street. Defendant passed and as he did so he said: "You still here? You ought to be in the ---- Army." He returned almost immediately and continued passing remarks.

A crowd gathered and as Nicks would not go away quietly he was arrested. He then lay down in the gutter. Inspr. A. E. Reeve, who was passing, stopped to intervene. Nicks shouted an offensive remark and kicked the inspector in the knee and the temple.

"NURSED A GRIEVANCE."

Questioned by Mr. T. J. W. Templeman, for Nicks, P.C. Taylor agreed he had stopped defendant from going down Paris-street when it was blocked. Nicks had nursed a grievance against him for it.

Lily Nicks, defendant's wife, said six years ago her husband had a nervous breakdown and was a voluntary patient in a mental home. He had been advised by his doctor to go on the panel for gastric trouble, but had not done so because of pressure of work. On October 19 he crushed the top of a finger, and on the morning of the offence he received a letter from his soldier son which had upset him. She was sure the offence was the result of the previous happenings.

Nicks apologized to the police and gave an undertaking that it would not happen again. He said he understood now the constable was not allowed to be in the Army.