Denton & Haughton Weekly News, and Audenshaw, Hooley Hill, and Dukinfield Advertiser. — 1874-09-18 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SHOOTING CASE AT NEW TON HEATH. On Friday morning, an old man named Chas.O'Neil, who said he came from :Stratford-upon-Avon, was charged at tho County Police Court, Manchester, with being upon the premises of Mr. George Evans, Newton Heath, for an unlawful purpose. James Evans said he lived with his father,-Mr George Evans, at Primrose House, Newton Heath. : Yesterday his father was away from home, and he was in charge of the house. Between 10 and 11 o'clock on Thursday night his aunt informed him that there was some one about the premises. He searched through the house, and upon going into the back yard he found the prisoner in the water-closet, near the back door He sent for a police officer, and gave the prisoner into custody. The back yard was not enclosed. Sir J. I. Aiantell (to the prisoner ) : What have you to say for yourself ? The Prisoner: Toonly went there to rest, when he (witness) came out and shot me in the head. Sir John (to witness); Did you shoot at this man? Witness: Yes: I fired twice into the closet with a revolver in order to frighten him. Sir John: Then it is very fortunate for you you are not being tried for murder. Suppose you had shot him through the head? Prisoner: He did shoot me :through the head, but it did not go in vcry far. • Sir John (to witness): You may thank God you are not at the assizes on a charge of murder. I never heard of I Itch a thing in my life. Witness: I only did it to frighten him. Sir John: Are you under the impression that you can shoot at any body for the purpose of frightening them? I wciuld recommend you to be more careful or you will be tried at the assizes for murder. Witness: Perhaps it was folly to shoot as I did. Sir John: You fired two shots in a dark water  closet? Witness: Yes. Sir John: Well, all I can say is you are next door to. a lunatic. (To Police-sergeant Turner) : Is the man hurt?  Police-constable Turner said that when the prisoner arrived at the police-station his head was bleeding. Iu reply to witness he said that he had been shot at by Mr. Evans while he was in the closet. Witness examined the cloEet, and found three bullets which had apparantly been discharged from a revolver. Sir John: But is he badly hurt? The Officer : His head has been grazed by a ball. Sir John (to prisoner): What are you doing going about the country in this way? Prisoner: I did not intend to stop there long. I only went to rest. Sir John: But how have you been living, and what do you intend to do. Prisoner: I brought as much with me from home as has kept me up to now. I was making my way back to Warwickshire when this happened. Sir John: Well, I shall discharge you, as I do not think you were on the premises for any criminal purpose. "  PriFoner : Will you ask the young man (Mr to give a trifle to help me QU the road.  Sir John: He is beyond my advice altogether. After_a, short pause the magistrate aske I, "Where is this sportsman and the witness Evans came forward tUthe Sir John (-6:e Evans): If you'havehurt this man at all, and he says you have, I think you had better arrange matters with him, or I should not be at all surprised if you hear of this in another place. The least you can do out of charity is something for him. Evans: I will see him. The prisoner was then discharged.  -