Hi Listers, I wonder if I could pick your brains yet again, please. I bought from the National Library of Wales copies of court documents relating to the case when Thomas HAMMOND(s) was had up in court in 1768 for beating up Lucy ASHLEY, wife of John. The offence was apparently in Berriew, and I'm a little puzzled at what the documents actually are. One is a fragment of the husband's complaint against Thomas, one seems to be part of a warrant for Thomas to turn up at court, and the only complete document reads: "The Jurors for our Lord the King upon their Oath present that Thomas Hammond / late of the Parish of Berriew in the said County husbandman on the ninth day of June in the / eighth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third King of Great Britain / with force and arms at the parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid in and upon one / Lucy Ashley the wife of John Ashley Labourer in the peace of God and our said Lord / the King then and there being did make an Assault and her the said Lucy / then and there did beat wound and ill treat her so that her life was in great danger and / other injuries to the said Lucy then and there did to the great damage of the / said Lucy and against the peace of our said Lord the King / his Crown and dignity. Griffiths [Signature] The Deft app[eared] & plead Not Guilty." Is this the indictment - if so why are the jurors making it, rather than the prosecutor, or is it a 'guilty' verdict? If it's a verdict, I'm a little puzzled as to why the note at the bottom says that Thomas turned up at court and pleaded not guilty. Thomas married at Berriew 6 months later which is another reason why I'm not sure if this was a verdict - if he was found guilty he seems to have got off quite lightly for what seems to have been a very violent attack. Any ideas or comments would be very welcome, Regards, Ellie