Charleston police: Drunken man, 51, attacked boy over beer money

A 51-year-old man was already drunk when he attacked a 10-year-old boy who refused to give him beer money, according to a report from the Charleston Police Department.

William Brown of Romney Street in Charleston faces charges of assault and public intoxication in the altercation Saturday night that started at 1104 King St.

An officer was flagged down by witnesses saying a boy had been beaten by an older man. The boy was found shaking and crying on Rutledge Avenue, according to the officer’s report.

Witnesses told the officer that Brown had left the Ellen Bright Reception Hall when he confronted the boy and asked for beer money. Brown tried digging through the boy’s pockets for change, the report says.

After the two exchanged words, the assailant slapped the boy, picked him up and slammed him against a fence, according to the report.

The officer later found Brown on Romney Street. He acknowledged drinking a pint of liquor and exchanging words with the boy, but not beating him.

The boy was not seriously injured.

Reach Andrew Knapp at 937-5414 or twitter.com/offlede.