Belfast News-Letter - Thursday, May 23, 1895

THE MARQUIS OF QUEENSBERRY AND HIS SON.

At the Marlborough Street Police Court yesterday morning, the Marquis of Queensberry and his son, Lord Douglas of Hawick, were charged with creating a disturbance in Piccadilly. The two defendants were placed in the dock together, the marquis, who was wearing a buttonhole of roses, standing as far from his son as possible. Inspector Tintern proved the arrest. He said that the defendants commenced quarrelling outside the Burlington Arcade, and continued it some distance up Bond Street. They commenced fighting, and it was then they were arrested. On being charged the Marquis of Queensberry said—"My son first assaulted me, and I only hit back in self-defence." Lofd Douglas said he wished to obtain an assurance from his father that he would discontinue writing letters to his wife. The Marquis of Queensberry having obtained permission to make a statement, said he had left the Old Bailey and driven to St. James' Street. On alighting from the cab he saw his son, who rushed at him, and threatened him with a loud voice, subsequently assaulting him. He had hit back only in self-defence. Counsel for Lord Douglas here wished to read a number of letters which bad been sent to his wife, but the magistrate refused to hear them. Counsel (continuing) said Lord Douglas only desired that these foul and obscene communications should cease, and it was for this end he met his father. Some months ago an application was made for the marquis to be bound over to keep the peace, but the application was refused. Evidence having been given of the fighting in the street, the Marquis of Queensberry, again interposing, said he objected to his letters being characterised as they had been. Both defendants were bound over to keep the peace for six months.