100 YEARS AGO: SHENANIGANS IN A SALFORD STREET OR WHAT THE POLICEMAN SAW

We are often told that a policeman's lot is not a happy one and this cautionary tale from November 1919 backs this theory up.

P.C. Gleeson was making his way along Bolton Street  in no doubt an orderly fashion, when he noticed a head suddenly peer out from around the corner of nearby Gore Street and as quickly vanish.

Our brave boy in blue made his way to the corner to investigate who the mystery person was, and what he saw ended up with Karl Christian Thomsen, a foreign seaman and Agnes Astall of Farm Street, Salford appearing at Salford Magistrates Court charged with being drunk and disorderly and police assault.

P.C. Gleeson a man no doubt of the highest morals told the court that he saw the couple,

"Conducting themselves in an improper manner"

And I think we can all guess what they were up to, the mucky pups.

He asked them what they were doing (honestly) and Agnes became abusive to him and proceeded to strike him about the head and body, he decided that enough was enough and he would arrest the amorous couple and take them to Chapel Street police station.

Agnes had other ideas and continued her assault on him kicking him about the legs and body, eventually she fell to the floor because the street was covered in mud.

P.C. Gleeson shouted for assistance, (I thought they blew their whistles?) and heard footsteps running to his rescue, sadly it wasn't a local hero, it was Thomsen who immediately punched him straight on the jaw.

No doubt cheesed off with this latest assault he turned his attention to Thomsen who he described to the court as 

"Being like one demented!"

A few restraining blows by the burly copper brought Thomsen to his senses, who threw his hands up and agreed to go the police station.

Agnes was being restrained on the floor by the boots of the policeman planted not on her throat but on her skirts to stop her running away, a crafty move.

Both were marched to the police station and charged with the offences.

At the Magistrates Court Mr Foyster asked the couple if they pleaded guilty, Thomsen nodded in agreement, whilst Agnes no doubt made of sterner stuff shouted,

"How could I assault a big man like him?"

For an answer P.C. Gleeson held up a large, swollen disjointed thumb as evidence.

The Magistrate found them both guilty and fined them £1 or 14 days in prison for being drunk and disorderly, he then fined them both £2, five shillings for police assault or 21 days in prison.

It is recorded that the couple paid their fines on the spot and left the court free to continue with their dalliance.

I assume that Thomsen being a foreign seaman was moored at Salford docks and had met Agnes, no doubt a shy, sweet, retiring young girl for a glass of beer and things got out of hand as they say.