Person:James Linney (2)

b. James LINNEY, December Quarter 1867, Leighton Buzzard Registration District, Volume 3b, page 386, mother's maiden name Walker

PLEASANT DOINGS AT HEATH FEAST.
Alice Chamberlain, who had a "black eye," appeared to apply for a summons against Darnetta Cotchin for an alleged assault at Heath the previous night. Applicant stated, in answer to the Chairman, that she worked in the fields picking potatoes for Mr. Yirrell.
Supt. Anniwell stated that the applicant lived with James Linney, and on the previous night he went to Heath Feast. She went with him to see him right - to look after him, for he was rather excitable. In a public-house there this part, against whom the summons was desired to be taken, assaulted her. She had been before the Court.
The Chairman: I know her. The Chairman added that if the applicant lived the life a great many girls did at Leighton he would not be justified in defraying the expenses of the summons out of the poor-box.
Supt. Anniwell: I quite understand you. I don't think it is a case to come out of the poor-box.
The Clerk said the summons could be taken out at the expense of the county, and the Chairman accordingly notified the applicant that her request would be granted.

LEIGHTON BUZZARD.
DASTARDLY ASSAULT.-On Tuesday afternoon Alice Chamberlain (34) was admitted to the Leighton Buzzard Workhouse Infirmary suffering from a severe contusion on one of her eyes. At the same time her three children, aged four years, two years, and six weeks respectively were also received into the "House." It appears that Chamberlain resides in that district in the vicinity of St. Andrew's Church commonly known as "America." The man James Linney, otherwise named "Cups," lived with her, and there are three illegitimate children. On Monday afternoon Linney went home the worse for liquor. A squabble ensued between the man and the woman, which resulted in Linney violently assaulting Chamberlain, "almost tearing the clothes from off her back." Chamberlain among other approbrious [sic] epithets, called Linney "cock eye," whereupon the man in his maudlin fury seized a walking stick, and with a declaration to the effect that he would render Chamberlain "cock eyed," poked the brass ferrule into one of her eyes. Chamberlain subsequently went to the dispensary and the eye was dressed by Dr. Harris. She subsequently entered the Workhouse Infirmary as previously stated. Dr. Sandell, on examining the eye, was unable to say whether the sight was totally destroyed, but at any rate the injury inflicted was of a most serious character. The police, so far as could be ascertained, have not taken any steps in regard to instituting proceedings against Linney, who it may be remembered, was convicted at the last Leighton Buzzard Petty Sessions for an unprovoked assault upon the wife of the landlord of the "Wheat Sheaf Inn." He was, however, strange to say, only fined, and actually allowed time in which to pay. "Cups," far from being sobered by the perhaps irreparable injury he had inflicted on the Monday, was decidedly the worse for drink on the afternoon of the following day. Such is a miserable phase of life in the lower social strata of Leighton.

"CUPS" LINNEY AGAIN.
James Linney, aged 33 years, labourer, of Leighton Buzzard, better known by the name of "Cups," failed to appear in answer to a charge of being drunk and disorderly on the highway in North Street, Leighton Buzzard, at 10.30p.m., on the 6th inst.
Sergt. Panter stated that on coming down North Street he heard Linney using most obscene language outside the Buffalo Inn. A crowd stood round him and when he got near he saw that defendant was drunk. He request him to go away, but he refused, saying he should not go unless removed. To save further bother witness walker away, and Linney was afterwards taken away by two women. Witness further told the Bench that when defendant was drunk he invariably abused the police. It did not matter which of them he saw, they were all treated alike. He generally went up to them and pushed them about, saying what he would do.
Supt. Anniwell said he had let defendant off several times, but it seemed to do him no good. His object when drunk was evidently to have a row with the police, but when sober he was always all right with them.
The Bench imposed a fine of £1 and 5s.6d. costs, or a month's hard labour in default:
A woman named Alice Chamberlain asked the Magistrates to grant time in order to give the defendant an opportunity of paying the money instead of going to gaol.
Supt. Anniwell objected strongly to time being granted. The last time he allowed defendant a fortnight he did nothing but drink, and ended by knocking out Chamberlain's eye.
Chamberlain: He didn't do it purposely.
The Chairman: What have you to do with the case, you're not his wife?
Chamberlain: I wish I was (laughter).
The Chairman: If he doesn't pay before night he'll have to go to gaol for a month.