William Crossingham Assaulted

William Crossingham, keeper of Crossingham's lodging-house was assaulted in 1897 by three men. Here are the details in full:

THE AFFRAY IN A DOSS HOUSE.

William Maher, 25, of Thrawl-street, Spitalfields; Lewis Lewinsky, 20, boot hand; and John Perry, 27, "agent," were charged on remand at Worship-street police-court yesterday with causing grievous bodily harm to Margaret Sullivan by stabbing her, and violently assaulting Bertie Crossingham. A curious feature of the case at the present hearing was an offer made by Mr. Young the moment the prisoners were put into the dock that the case should be disposed of without further evidence by the prisoners finding a surety to keep the peace - a course that Mr. Young intimated

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had been arranged with Mr. Margetts, and, he said, would satisfy his clients. - Mr. Corser said he should not consent to such a course. It was not what would satisfy the woman, but what would satisfy justice. If he was satisfied that the prisoners were concerned in stabbing the woman he should commit them for trial; if not, discharge them without any compromise. - The story of the case has been partially told at two hearings. The circumstances surrounding the affair disclosed a long-standing feud between the men, Mr. Corser remarking that the evidence as to the bad character of the parties was matter for after consideration. The old quarrel between the parties was apparently the cause of a sudden raid upon the lodging-house kept by William Crossingham, and where the woman and Bertie Crossingham lived, 20, Dorset-street, Spitalfields. The three men, having forced their way into the passage of the house, abused Wm. Crossingham and threatened him. The woman Sullivan joined in, and then some struggling took place, during which Maher struck the woman in the head, and she exclaimed that she was stabbed. A second blow was given, and she afterwards found she was stabbed in the side. A knife (produced) was picked up in the passage, but Maher said it was not his. Bertie Crossingham was assaulted by Perry with a stick, and then got a truncheon to defend himself. A serious affray followed, the woman being dragged down steps into the street, and both men being beaten with a stick. The incidents of the affray till the police arrived were numerous, and, as Mr. Margetts said, "the case bristled with contradictions;" but Mr. Corser remarked that there were facts behind which obviously had not come out. The case being now closed, Mr. Corser said it was certainly his duty to send it before a jury. - Mr. Margetts said he should wish to call evidence for the defence, and Mr. Corser intimated that though it might change his view, his present opinion was that a jury should decide on the whole case. - A remand was then taken for the prisoners' witnesses, Maher and Perry being again admitted to bail.

Source: Lloyd's Weekly London Newspaper, October 3, 1897, Page 4