Special Constable Assaulted

Within hours of the armistice another assault was recorded against a special constable. Thomas A. Hummerstone a special at Epping observed Cecil George Pearce, a labourer from Theydon Garnon carrying a flag and pole which he recognised belonging to a local foundry business, Cottis Ltd. When he went to speak with Pearce, he was struck over the head with the flagpole. As Pearce went to make a second strike Hummerstone defended himself by drawing his truncheon and Pearce made off. Hummerstone reported the assault to Sergeant Denny who at midnight went with Police Constable Gardener to arrest Pearce at his home. When Cecil Pearce opened his door, he was told he was going to be arrested for assaulting Special Constable Hummerstone. Pearce hurried back inside his property but left his door open. As the sergeant followed and tried to grab him, he was suddenly assaulted by being hit on the head with a heavy object. The blow was delivered by William Pearce another occupant of the house. On receiving the blow, the sergeant turned and saw William holding some form of Indian club. Diverting his attention to William he was struck again but this time from Cecil Pearce who had armed himself with another weapon. Using his whistle to summon help he again tried to tackle Cecil and this time put him to the floor and started to handcuff him. While doing this he was again struck by William on the face and nose causing blood to pour down his face from injuries. Constable Gardener had now taken hold of William and was wrestling him. Cecil was at the same time calling out for his mother who when she arrived from another part of the house started attacking Constable Gardener giving William the chance to get away.

The constable went after William who did not go far having armed himself again with a club. Grabbing him the constable forced him against a wall. Meanwhile Mrs Pearce, who had been joined by her daughter, grabbed hold of Sergeant Denny who told them not to interfere or they would get hurt. They would not leave so he had to push them away and drew his truncheon. Cecil Pearce was still playing up and had to be struck across the back. The sergeant covered things while Constable Gardener handcuffed William. Even Mrs Pearce picked up a club but was soon disarmed by Sergeant Denny.

The two men were then taken to the police station where they were charged and detained. When Sergeant Denny was seen by a doctor, he fell unconscious. The doctor gave evidence later that day to say the sergeant had been bleeding from several wounds, his nose was broken, he had several large and small bruises on the head, and he was dazed and in great pain. Constable Gardener suffered two large bruises on his head and bruises to his hand and body.

Cecil Pearce was charged with assault on Special Constable Hummerstone and William Pearce and with doing grievous bodily harm to Police Constable Gardener. Both men were charged with grievous bodily harm to Sergeant Denny. Other charges included theft of the flagpole, which is what started the chain of events and damage to the police station cells. For the assault on Special Constable Hummerstone, Cecil was fined forty shillings. The theft of the flagpole was dismissed and for damage to the cells both men were ordered to pay compensation of two pounds. For the charges of grievous bodily harm both men were sent for trial at the Essex assize. It was noted by the defence that Cecil Pearce had been wounded three times while serving in the Army and William suffered from shell shock. In delivering the sentences the bench made no comment as to character or past military service and if this had any bearing on the case.

When the trial took place at the end of January the defence suggested the police had been heavy handed by attending the house on the night in question and that the matter could have been dealt with by way of issuing a summons. Had they done so no assault would have occurred. The judge felt the actions of the police occurred soon enough after the initial incident as to come within the term hot pursuit. Despite this he did feel it would have been better for them to have left the matter until morning and although it could not excuse the assault, which was a serious matter, it might affect the sentencing.

Both Pearce brothers were sentenced to three months imprisonment without hard labour.

Chelmsford Chronicle, 22 November 1918.
Chelmsford Chronicle, 7 February 1919.