Charles Hill

Charles Hill died following an argument in the street.

A 38-year-old man was tried for his manslaughter but was acquitted after his defence claimed self-defence.

It was heard that Charles Hill had been drinking at the Navigation Hotel in Treharris on 8 November 1920 and after leaving to go home was joined almost immediately by the 38-year-old man.

Soon after they were overtaken by another man who said that as he passed them, he saluted them and shook their hands.

He said that Charles Hill and the 38-year-old man then started a conversation over wages and that an argument soon began. He said that Charles Hill then assumed a fighting stance but he successfully intervened. However, he said that Charles Hill then again showed fight and attempted to strike the 38-year-old man. The man said that he again intervened but that as he did so the 38-year-old man struck Charles Hill a blow on his chest or face and that Charles Hill fell backwards into the road.

He said that the 38-year-old man then went away.

It was noted that when Charles Hill was found, having fallen slantingly towards the gutter, that his head was not touching the stone channel when he was picked up although the road was very stony.

A doctor said that Charles Hill's cause of death was due to a fracture of the skull.

When the 38-year-old man was taken into custody and charged with causing Charles Hill's death by striking him with his fist, the 38-year-old man replied, 'I say nothing except that since I have been in the Army the beer affects me. Two pints will upset me. I remember very little about it'.

However, at his trial, the 38-year-old man's defence contended that the 38-year-old man had pushed Charles Hill in self-defence, and he was found not guilty and discharged.