Burglary and Wounding at Brinsworth
Northern Circuit, York March 13 1854.
Crown Court before Mr. Baron Platt
George Curtis aged 23 was indicted for a burglary and wounding committed in the dwelling house of Robert Hansley, near Rotherham on 19th November, 1852 and stealing about £5 in silver and copper, a silver watch and other articles.
Mr. Hardy prosecuted and Mr. Overend defended the prisoner.
It appeared that the prosecutor who is an old man, 60 years of age, in November 1852, kept the Brinsworth toll bar near Rotherham, and lived along with his wife in the toll house.
On 19th November, the prosecutor was knocked up about half past one in the morning by a man riding upon an ass, who called out ‘Gate’. Prosecutor got up and went out and demanded one and a half pence toll. The man said he must have change for 6d. And got off his ass. While he was doing this another man who had been concealed, got between the prosecutor and his house door and struck him a violent bow on the head with a bludgeon. Both men then fell upon him and beat him about the head. He, however contrived to get into his house and seized a pistol and presented it at one of the men. The pistol was, however, seized from him and he was knocked down. One of the men who assaulted him was the prisoner. His wife alarmed by the noise, came downstairs and saw her husband lying on the floor – lifeless, she didn’t know if he was dead. The men threatened her with her life if she did not bring her money.
