A TUCK UNDER THE EAR, EXETER, 1843.

Before the Police Court at Exeter Guildhall in July 1843 an employee, unnamed by the newspaper, complains that he has been assaulted by his employer:

"Mr. Samuel Roach, landlord of the Bull Inn was charged with knocking down a man in his employ, on Monday last.  The complainant stated that they had a quarrel, in the course of which Mr. Roach knocked him down with great violence.  

"Mr. Roach, on being asked what he had to say to this, replied, 'Well, I think he has told you pretty well the truth.  I went up into the brew house and found him quite drunk; then, when I spoke to him, he began to be saucy, as well as he could speak and I just gave him a little tap with my flat hand, like this, and, Lord bless you, he went right down..'

"MAYOR - It is no matter, you have no business to take the law into your own hands.

"Mr. ROACH - No, I know I have not, but it is a terrible trial to have a drunken fellow like that; you can't depend on such a man.  I have served him like that many times before, just to give him a tuck under the ear;  I should not wish to hurt the fellow.

"Mr. KINGDON - I expect your pats are very hard pats.  You are a very strong, powerful fellow.

"Mr. ROACH - Why, I tell ye,  when he came to me we agreed if I caught him drunk I should flog him - (laughter).   Fined 2s 6d.

"Mr. Roach has been a prize fighter in his day, is about six feet high, and at least proportionately stout and strong."

The 'complainant' seems to have been a 'fellow' of so little significance that he is not even named but the wonderfully independent and confident Mr. Sam. Roach of the Bull Inn, (Goldsmiths Street) six foot high and a sometime prize-fighter and also, incidentally, a sportsman and owner of racehorses is a man to be respected.  Predictably the Court is not too hard on him.  Perhaps not even the Mayor wants to make an enemy of him, after all no one wants to risk a tuck under the ear that knocks you down. 

Source: The Western Times, 29th July 1843.