The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1871-05-20 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

ATTEMPTING TO DROWN A MAN IN A WINE VAT.  At the Thames Police-court, In London, Robert M.Comble, a young man, who was formerly a labpurer at the London end Continental steam wharf, and who hal been In custody ever since the let of April on a charge of attempting to 171111,ier James Geddes, vault-keeper at the wharf, was last week brought up for the seventh time, charged with attempting to throw Mr Geddes into a vat containing 14C0 gallons of port wine, on the let of April. Mr. Charles Young, solicitor, conducted the prosecution. On a former investigation he said that Mr. Geddes was not expected to live, and that if he died he should charge the prisoner with wilful murder. He proposed that his worship should proceed to the house of the wounded man and receive hen deposition. • • • ••  The magistrate immediately proceeded to the dwelling of Mr. Geddes, and accompanied by Mr. Thomas, the junior clerk, Mr. Odell, chief usher, and Mr. Joseph Smith, solicitor for the prisoner. Mr. Geddes was lying on a bed, very ill, and with two ribs fractured. ne W. @Warn, and dep wed that he WU a vault•keecer at the London and Continental Steam Wharf, Wap. ping, on the let of April last. At a quarter to five o'clock on that day the prisoner and another man named Taylor, who had been discharged a few days before, came and asked to see Mr. Curdat about their being dismissed. He replied, "You know Mr. Cordat can send his messenger if he wants me." M'Combie said, "What am I to do?" He said, "It's no use my going up to Mr. Cordat ; I reasoned with him before you left. If you can get a job I will myself give you a character as an honest and industrious mall. I cannot do more." He then walked across towards the man. hole over the wine vat, and V/1611 standing close alongside of it, when the prisoner caught him by the back of the neck and took him off hie legs. He struggled with the prisoner until he was forced down the man-hole of the wine vat—at leset, hie head, his shoulders, and one of Ins arms were down. He cried out "Murder" and " and the witness Brown took him up and dragged him out. He was maddened with pain and rage, and said "Let me get at the fellow." He fell fell over an iron bar and struck his right side, and was much bust. The man Taylor stood between him and the primmer. Ile stepped past Taylor towards the prisoner, who again seized him and got him by the throat. He saw a wooden instrurueut called a slogger on the floor, used for knocking bungs in and out of clanks, and said, "I will hit him." He was unable to do so, dropped the slogger, and fell down exhausted. When he recovered he went downstairs and followed the prisoner to Commercia%street, Whitechapel. M'Combie said" I lave yon had enough," He said he had had quite enough, and that he should take out a warrant against the prisoner, who then said "I'll kill you," and threw him into the road among the carts and horses. The prisoner was about to attack him again, but the man with him said he should not, and the prisoner left him. He had nothing to do with the dl, charge of the prisoner from the wharf. Two of his ribs were fractured and he received other injuries. The wounded man was cross-examined by Mr. Smith, but nothing material was elicited. He believed the prisoner's intention was to push him into the vat, and drown him in the wine.  After the reading of Mr. Geddes' deposition. Mr. Young said the man was still lingerirg, and that if he did recover, which was net very probable, it would be bele time before he could attend the court. lie asked for another remand. •  The magistrate acceded to the request, and remanded the prisoner for another week.