THEY had it in for retired copper Othen. First he was viciously accosted as he left a pub, then he was accused of theft. It seemed bygones were bygones as he played cards with local rogues, Samuel Chandler and John Budden, in Southampton's Argyle pub, but once the game was over, the mood changed and Chandler stormed out on the pretext of going home.
In reality, his long time adversary lay in wait, and within yards of him leaving the inn, Chandler bludgeoned him with a stick on the head and rendered him insensible. Budden was then heard to say he was going to stone Othen in revenge. Indeed, one was hurled but magistrates, hearing the case of violent assault against the pair in 1844, were unsure who had thrown it.
Both defendants complained they had been repeatedly hassled by Othen who had brought a false case against them. Convicted, Chandler was ordered to pay a fine of 50s (£2.50) and costs or face six weeks imprisonment in default, while Budden, given the benefit of the doubt, was cautioned over his future behaviour.
That matter concluded, Othen then laid a complaint of sustained provocation against a Mrs Kemish who had accused him of stealing a considerable amount of money from her home, but her allegation was dismissed when it was considered the evidence was insufficient to warrant his committal to the town's quarter sessions. That - according to Othen - had infuriated Kemish who not only abused him when they regularly encountered each other in the street but she had als.