A merchant from Corby became involved in a nasty knife fight and was then accused of assault by one of the poachers.
“At Bourn petty Sessions on Saturday last, an information for an assault was preferred by Clement Corton, a watcher in the employ of Lord Willoughby, against Mr. Wm. Collingwood, merchant, of Corby. The case has caused a good deal of talk and excitement in the neighbourhood. Four poachers, who were trespassing in pursuit of game in Grimsthorpe Park, were seen by two hedge-cutters, who went after them with their long knives, and a regular chase ensued: three of the men escaped, but the fourth was hunted down at Corby, having been found concealed in some straw in a hovel belonging to Mrs. Cox. The defendant was passing at the time, and finding the two lurchers with their knives jobbing in the straw, and uttering very foul language and threats, went into the yard, where he observed Corton dragging a man our of the straw, his face bleedin from a cut with a knife; the man asked for fair play, and made some resistance, but the other lurcher (Henry Glen) approached in a state of excitement, held his knife over Corton, and swore he would cut him down if he made further resistance: Corton at the time exclaimed to Glen, ‘D— him, do not flinch him: cut his arm off;’ and just as Glen was aiming a blow at him, Mr. Collingwood interfered, and kept off the blow, telling the man he would not allow blood to be shed, and that if the other man had committed any offence he should be properly taken into custody, without the use of weapons of so dangerous a nature. Glen immediately threatened Mr. Collingwood, and brandished the knife over him; consequently, finding his own life was in danger, he left – Corton afterwards preferred an information against Mr. Collingwood for an assault, and now endeavored to support it by the testimony of himself and two companions: they swore that defendant took up the knife, and threatened to strike Corton: this was denied by Mr. Collingwood: he was confirmed by the evidence of four respectable witnesses, who were present and saw the whole transaction, and proved the facts as above stated. Mr. Atter having addresses the magistrates on behalf of the defendant, General Johnson (chairman) said, ‘There is not the slightest ground for the charge against Mr. Collingwood, and we dismiss the case at once.’ – Mr. Atter applied for the costs incurred by the defendant, which were immediately allowed.- Gen. Johnson then severely reprimanded the men for carrying hedge knives in hunting men, and pointed out the duty of keepers and others employed to protect game.”
The Stamford Mercury, 26th April, 1850.