Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Thursday 20 February 1919

Alleged Attempted Murder at Mexborough.

John William Bond (22). an ex-soldier, who has been demobilised, having been serving in the York and Lancaster Regiment, and who was’ still in khaki, appeared at the Doncaster West Riding Court to-day, charged with attempting to murder Police-constable Paxton Mexborough, ‘ last night, by shooting him.

Bond is railwayman by occupation, and lives in Park Road.

Superintendent Minty stated that Inspector Bellamy, with Police-constables Paxton and Battersby, were on duty in High Street on the previous night, when they heard the prisoner and two other men using bad language. The inspector remonstrated with the prisoner, who at once pulled out a live-chambered revolver, pointed it Police-constable Paxton, and pulled the trigger. Fortunately the weapon missed fire, and it was taken from him. On examination it was found loaded two chambers, and the cartridge which had been struck bore a mark on it. Had it discharged it would have been a serious matter.

Inspector Bellamy stated that at 11.20 on the previous night was in High Street in company with Police-constables Paxton and Battersby, when he had occasion to speak to the prisoner about his bad language, He replied, “You black ——-, I’ll shoot you,” alluding to Paxton. He pulled a revolver out of his pocket and pressed the trigger but it did not off. Witness struck him on the face and Police constable Battersby snatched the revolver from him and took him into custody and locked him up. When charged Police-constable Paxton said, “You are lucky it missed fire; you ought to be shot,” Prisoner denied that he took the revolver out of his pocket.

Superintendent Minty (to the witness); Did he take the revolver out of bis pocket?

The Inspector: He did before he said anything. He pointed it directly at Paxton’s body, and if it had gone off it would have killed him.

Did you examine the cartridge? Yes, and found a mark on it.

Two men who were with prisoner ran away.

Prisoner; You say I took the revolver out my pocket first thing?

Witness: Yes.

Prisoner: You say I produced it?

Witness; You pulled it out and pulled the trigger. Prisoner; No. I held it in pocket and clicked the trigger. The trigger is not strong enough to explode the cartridge. You say I produced the revolver in High Street?

The Inspector: You pulled it out and pressed the trigger.

Prisoner: I never produced the revolver. Police -constable Battersby got it out of my pocket.

Police-constable Paxton gave evidence to the same effect.

Superintendent Minty asked that the prisoner should remanded in custody until Wednesday. Prisoner: It is all a made-up affair. I had no chance all.

Prisoner was remanded, in custody until Wednesday.