Mexborough and Swinton Times August 17, 1928

The Mexborough Tragedy.
Marsden Before the Magistrates.
Police Story of The Affair

At Doncaster, on Wednesday. Harold Marsden (37), miner, of 3, Pitt Street, Alex borough, appeared on a charge of the murder of his daughter Mary, aged 10 by cutting oft her head with a razor, and with attempted suicide by cutting his own throat.

Marsden, who was taken from hospital, appeared in a weak condition. His neck was swathed in bandages, and he was assisted to an armchair by two plain clothes officers.

Supt. Minty said that on August 2nd Marsden retired to bed with his wife. He slept with his wife and three of the five children in the front bedroom. The other two children, including the girl Mary, slept in the back bedroom. At 3.50 p.m. on Aug. 3rd Marsden got out of bed saying that he would have some health salts, and went downstairs. He returned a few minutes later but instead of entering his own bedroom went into the back bedroom where Mary and another child were sleeping. He attacked Mary with a razor, completely severing her head from the body, and then attempted to cut his own throat with the razor. His wife went into the back zoom and saw him in the act of cutting Mary’s throat with the razor. She try to stop him but failed. She raised an alarm and rushed out of the room for assistance.

Neighbours quickly rendered assistance and Doctor Huey and the police were called in. PC Aucock arrived about 4:10 a.m. and found it a very shocking state of affairs.

The child’s head was severed from the body and the prisoner was suffering from a cut throat. Dr. Huey stitched the prisoner’s wound. Inspector Varley was sent for and the prisoner was removed to the Fullerton hospital, where he had been detained until that morning.

The Defence.

There was no doubt. Supt. Minty proceeded, that the defence in this case would be temporary insaility, and it was only right to say that the prisoner in hospital had been very bad mentally, though he seemed to have recovered somewhat that morning. The matter had been reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions and he had given, certain instructions. In order to carry out those instructions Ile (Mr. Minty) asked for a week’s remand in custody.

P.-c. Allcock briefly gave evidence on’ the lines of the above statement. He arrested Marsden that morning and charged him.

Marsden made no reply.

Supt. Minty said prisoner would remain in hospital.

The Clerk (Mr. E. W. Pettifer) said he would ask the superintendent of the hospital to give the magistrates a report on Marsden’s mental condition.

Maroden was remanded for seven days in custody.

He left the court leaning on the of two plain officers..