Miner On Manslaughter Charge – “I Have Had It”, Said Conisbrough Man

October 1958

South Yorkshire October 4, 1958

Miner On Manslaughter Charge
“I Have Had It”, Said Conisbrough Man

George Martin Wilkinson (41), miner, of Athelstane Road, Conisbrough, was at Doncaster yesterday, sent for trial to Sheffield Assizes, accused of the manslaughter of Joseph Bromfield (36), miner, of Harthill Road Conisbrough, on August 29th.

Prosecuting Mr. Maurice D. Shaffner described the case “as of complete irresponsibility and  gross negligence in the handling of a loaded firearm”.

He alleged that the shooting occurred while the two men were at the home of mutual friends, Mr and Mrs. Harper, of March Vale Terrace Conisbrough.

Mr. Shaffner; alleged that Wilkinson had the gun in his hand and the two men were talking about it. The gun belonged to Harper, he added. He alleged that Wilkinson suddenly stood up with the gun which had been fitted together and attempted to try to break it.  Bromfield stood up to show him how to do it saying You don’t take it to pieces that way. I will show you”. Wilkinson replied “Let me have a go with it first”.

Heard Gun

Then Wilkinson, said Mr Shaffner turned towards Bromfield with the gun waist high. He alleged that Mrs. Harper was walking towards her gas cooker when she heard the gun being discharged.         She saw Bromfield jump up, clutch himself on the chest, and fall to the floor. It was obvious that he was dying and he said something like “I have I had it”. Mr. Shaffner then said that Wilkinson, after trying to hold Bromfield went to the Police Station. And when the police were called Bromfield was dead.

Wilkinson, in a statement to the Police, said that while Mrs Harper had been out he had taken a cartridge from Mr. Harper’s jacket where he kept them and put it into the gun. When Bromfield came into the room they had been “acting soft”. When Wilkinson was questioned by the Police he said: ‘ I had forgotten about it being loaded. I can’t understand why I the trigger. It just happened that way. I have never had any harsh words with him”.

“The Home Guard”

He also said in a statement to the Police, said Mr. Shaffner, that he had not used a gun before. But I can lay evidence before you that i he had used a gun before, in the Home Guard.

Mr. Phillip Brocklesby, M.B.E., chemist of Holywell Lane, Conisbrough, said he was a major in the Home Guard in the last war. Wilkinson was in the same company and learned the use of a rifle and sten guns but was handicapped in the handling of a rifle berause he had little grip in the left hand.

Wilkinson, through Mr. Stephen Kendrick (defending) pleaded “Not Guilty”and reserved his defence.