Sheffield Independent – Wednesday 10 May 1893

A Colliery Manager’s “Double”
Robbery with Violence at Conisbro’

At the Yorkshire Assizes, yesterday, before Mr. Justice Bruce, Benjamin Walton, 35, labourer, was indicted for having attempted to steal a watch and chain from the person of Henry Baker, at Conisbro’, near Doncaster, on the 10th of April.

The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Percy Broadbent. The prosecutor, who is now a brewer’s traveller, and was formerly a police-constable, was walking along the road from the Conisbro’ Railway Station in the afternoon, when the prisoner went up to him and said, “Who are you?” Mr. Baker replied, “I am a man; what’s that to do with you?” Prisoner replied, “You are the pig of a b—-,” and began menacing him with his fists. Mr. Baker asked what right he had to address him in that manner. Thereupon the prisoner snatched at the prosecutor’s chain, and twitched his watch out of his pocket. The prosecutor rushed the prisoner into the hedge and got the watch from him, remarking, “I am not Mr. Chambers, but if I were you have a right to do this.”

The prisoner, addressing the judge, said, “I don’t know whether it is an error or not that you have mistaken me for Mr. Chambers, who is the manager of the colliery here.” He said to the prisoner, “Go on about your business.” But the prisoner replied, “This is God’s country, and I will stop here as long as I live.”

Witness went into a house and sent someone out; the prisoner struck him. “He gave me a clout about the ear,” added Mr. Baker. “I saw this prisoner.”

Mr. Middleton: Without the aid of a microscope?
Witness: Yes, without a microscope. I saw the prisoner. (Laughter.)

Prisoner was sentenced to six calendar months’ hard labour.