Mexborough and Swinton Times December 13, 1919

Alleged Attempted Murder.

Remarkable Case from Mexboro’.

On Tuesday, at Doncaster. George Smith, platelayer of Mexboro’, was brought up with a charge of attempting to murder his nine year old daughter, Estella G. E. Smith, by shooting at her with a pistol, on December 3rd.

Mr. Carlile in applying for a remands said he only proposed to call evidence of arrest. The prisoner was arrested the previous evening, and he had had no opportunity of getting his witnesses together. He was charged with attempting to murder his daughter by shooting at her with a pistol. He fired three shots, and under the circumstances under which they were fired, it would be impossible for the bullets to have missed her by more than a few inches. She was standing in a doorway, and one shot passed through, and was afterwards found in the fire grate.

P.C. Paxton said at 11 p.m. the previous night he was on duty in Winifred Road, Wath-on-Deanne, when he saw prisoner. He stopped him and told him he held a warrant for his arrest. Prisoner asked him what it was for, and he told him it was for shooting with intent to kill his daughter. He then “I will go with youthen.” He took him to the Mexboro’ police station, where he was cautioned by Sergt. Dobson.

The prisoner: Did you find any shots in the house?—No, I was not there.

Prisoner: I am not guilty, sir

The chairman (Mr. J. Dymond): Have you any objection to being remanded until Friday ?

Prisoner: I should have liked it to have been done with now.

The Clerk: Well it cannot be dealt with today. Have you any reason to show why you should not be remanded ?—No. sir.

The Chairman: You will be remanded then.