Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Thursday 27 February 1919

Ex. Soldier Goes for Trial on Serious Charge.

John William Bond (22), described as a rail way worker at Mexborough, who was recently demobilised from the York and Lancaster Regiment, was brought up on remand at the Doncaster West Riding Court yesterday charged with attempting to murder Police-constable Paxton at Mexborough on February 19th, at 11.20 p.m., by shooting at him with a revolver.

The magistrates on the Bench were Mr. J. Dymond and Mr G. B. Shiffner.

Superintendent Minty, in opening the case, said the prisoner bad been demobilised. At 11.20 on the night named, Inspector Bellamy, who was accompanied by Police-constables Paxton and Battersby, were in High Street, Mexborough, when they heard the prisoner, who was with two other men, using bad language. The inspector spoke to the prisoner about his bad language. Prisoner immediately produced from his right hand coat pocket a revolver, and pointed it at Police-constable Paxton and moved the trigger. When’ the police heard this he was immediately seized and overpowered, and the revolver taken from him. He was removed to the police-station.

When the revolver was examined it was found to contain two live cartridges; one in the barrel which had been struck showed the mark on the cap where it had been struck When prisoner was charged with attempting to murder Police-constable Paxton by shooting it him, he replied: “You are very lucky it missed fire. You black —- you ought to be shot.”

After evidence had been given, prisoner, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the West Riding Assizes to be held on March 15