Widnes Examiner. — 1896-04-11 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

ROBBERY IN WARRINGTON STREETS.  " SIX MONTHS HARD LABOUR"  At Warrington Borough Police Court on Monday morning, Mr. F. Monks, in the chair, a rough looking young fellow named John Broderick, of Pillings Court, was charged with stealing from the person of Patrick Walsh the sum of £5 53. 91 in rnoney.—The Chief Constable said the prisoner was charged with larceny from the person, but the original charge preferred agains- him was for the more serious offence of robbery with violence. In order that the case might be dealt with that rnorning.he had altered it to the less serious charge. The prosecutor, Peter Walsh was a farm labourer and worked f3r Mr. Massey, tarmer, Martinscroft. Being an army reserve man, he came into Warrington for the purpose of drawing his reserve pay of £4 its. ld. on Saturday. He drew the money at the Warrington Post Office,and after. wards went into the Old Crow public house. There he met Catherine Murphy, a woman he had known prey- , iously, and she invited him up to her house in Greens Court off Dial-street. 'there appeared to have been going on a sort of jollification or party at this house, an important feature of which seemed to have been an extensive consumption of beer. Walsh sent for a gallon and a number of persons sat drinking it until about 1 30 in the morning. While Walsh was there the prisoner Broderick and a young girl came into the house and partook of the refreshment. Broderick who had become very friendly with Walsh invited him to stay the remainder of the night at his mother's house in Pilling's Court. Walsh assented and shertly after one o'clock the two men set off together. While in the house,Walsh noticed that Broderick acted very strangely, and wanted to fumble about his (Walsh's) pockets. Broderick knew that Walsh, being an army reserve man, had drawn a sum of money, and he fumbled about Walsh's pockets to such an extent that shortly after two o'clock Walsh said he bad had enough of that and went out of the house. The prisoner seemed loth to lose his prize and said he would go with him and show him the way. After turning out of Dial-at. into Fennel-st., Broderick made a sudden assault. He thrust his hands into Walsh's trousers pockets, threw him to the ground, and turned the pocl,ets inside out, taking the contents, £5 sa. 9d. Walsh was thrown to the ground with such violence that his eye-brow was cut. He cried out" Murder "and "Police." P.C. Turner who had heard money jingling and a scuffle, rushed to the assistance of Walsh just in time to see a man making away into Victoria-st. Walsh was picked upand gave an accurate description of the prisoner. Inspector Taylor made an inspection of the ground where Walsh was found lying and altogether £2 2s. Bd. was founi scattered about where the scuffle had taken place. Inspector Taylor and police officers proceeded to the house of Broderick/s mother where they found him in bed. He was brought to the police station and placed between two other men, and Walsh unhesitatingly identified the prisoner as the man who attacked and robbed him. A great quantity of blood was found on Walsh's head and face.and when Broderick was apprehended his clothing was found spotted with blood. He (the Chief Constable) did not think the prisoner would deny the charge. There was only is. 11d. found upon Broderick but he had had ample opportunity of getting rid of it before he was apprehended.— On being charred with the offence, the prisoner pleaded guilty.—D.B. Monaghan gave evidence as to the character of the prisoner. He had been an inmate of a reformatory in consequence of stealing,and since his release had been several times convicted of theft. This was his tenth'appearance. He was a man that did not work and would not do so, and beloneed to a gang something similar to the Manchester scuttlers.—Prisoner stated that he was drunk at the time. Be was committed to prison for six months' hard labour.  Further particulars are given in teleerams from Buluwayo and Pietersburg of the revolt of the Matahele. There has been some rather severe fighting near Hutuwa.yo. A recident of that place save that up to the present, taking the whole" disturbed" ares,, abou t 80 white people have been killed.