Mexborough and Swinton Times March 29, 1919

Mexboro’ Outrage.

Four Years for Menacing a Policeman.

At the West Riding Assizes, Leeds, on Monday before Mr. Justice McCardie, John Bond (22), of Mexboro), a private in the York and Lancaster Regiment, who was indicted for the attempted murder of police-constable Frederick William Paxton, at Mexboro’, on February 10 last, pleaded guilty to attempting to shoot at the officer with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

Mr. T. E. Ellison, in accepting the plea on behalf of the Crown, said there was one thing in the man’s favour, and that was, that before pulling the trigger, prisoner pointed the revolver at the lower part of the officer’s body and he might, therefore, be given the benefit of what doubt there might be. For shooting at the police-officer, there appeared to be no motive, except that on two previous occasions in the preceding year, the officer had been instrumental in causing the arrest of the prisoner for desertion, and possibly there may be some ill-feeling in the man’s mind. Prisoner and, two other men were talking, in the street, and using bad language, and when asked by the police to move on, prisoner pulled out a revolver, saying he would shoot the officer.

The revolver did not go off, but it was loaded with two live cartridges.

Inpector Bellamy, of the West Riding Police Force, said that previous to joining the Army: the prisoner and borne a good character, but since then he had several times been apprehended for desertion, and on April 1, 1917, he was sentenced to death for desertion on the field of battle. This was subsequently commuted to ten years’ penal servitude, and the sentence was postponed until after the war. The man was again apprehended for desertion, tried by court-martial, and sentenced to two years’ detention. Whilst in the guardroom awaiting trial, he escaped. There were also several other minor offences.

Mr. Mellor, for the defence, said he understood that the prisoner was originally in the Royal Naval Divisicn, and was wounded. Prisoner said he was sent to the front under escort, and was there wounded a second time.

His Lordship said that to attempt to inflict grievous bodily harm upon a police officer by seeking to fire a loaded instrument was a very grave matter. Prisoner was only 22′ years of age. It must be a thought of shame to him that he was sentences to death for desertion on the field of duty,

His Lordship added that it was his duty whilst remembering the dictates of mercy, to also remember that the police must be protected whilst in the discharge of their functions.

“I am glad to say,” he added, “that the police of this district, in every case ever has been before me at the Leeds Assizes, and acted with absolute propriety. They had given their evidence with fairness and justice, and even with mercy against the prisoners.”

Prisoner was committed for four years penal servitude.