Mexborough and Swinton Times May 2nd 1902
The Denaby Shooting Case.
At the Leeds Assizes on Tuesday Joseph Shaw (29) miner pleaded guilty to assaulting Ann Cocksedge at Denaby, on March 14th.
This charge was reduced from the more serious indictment of shooting at the woman with intent to do her grievous bodily harm and of attempting to discharge a gun at her with intent to do her harm.
It was stated on behalf of the prosecution, that the prisoner had lodged with the prosecutrix for some years. He was addicted to drink and on the day named returned home intoxicated. The woman remonstrated with him, whereupon he took a gun and pointed it at her.
Cocksedge ran to him, and attempted to wrest the weapon from him, and during the struggle the man slipped and the gun was discharged, fortunately doing no injury.
The prosecutrix said she did not think the man intended to do her arm. She was not afraid of him and was anxious to have him back.
His Lordship pointed out the serious nature of the prisoner’s s act, and said had the woman been killed he would undoubtedly have been found guilty of manslaughter. If a person pointed a weapon at another person, no matter with what intent, such an act was an assault of the most dangerous character. It was serious because the turn of a hair might move the trigger with fatal effect.
The prisoner was sent to gaol for six weeks.