The Potteries Examiner : — 1871-08-19 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

DESPERATE POACHING AFFRAY.  A fatal affray with posohers has mmurred on the estate of Mr. W. A. Ileygate, M.P., situate at Roe. cliffs, near Newtown Linford, about six miles from Leicester. It appears that about half past eleven at night three men, named Thomas Hill, the deceased, William Holt, and John Bradehaw, in the employ of Mr. Alfred Ellis, Belgrave, who has an estate at Swithland, were oat watching, when they heard the cries of some rabbits. Going in the direction of the spot whenoe the noise proceeded they got on to Mr. Heygate's estate. Hill, the principal keeper, being ahead of his companions, got over a hedge into a seed field, when he at once got entangled in soma nets that were lain there. Before he was able to extricate himself he was set upon by the poachers, about five in number, who beat him most savagely about the head, belabouring him so severely that his brain protruded, and his eyes and teeth were knocked out. Death most have been very speedy. His cries brought to his assistance his comrades, who, as soon as they appeared, were attached by the poachers. A desperate conflict ensued, the poachers being armed with stone bludgeons and flails. The keepers, being the less numerous of the party, were soon overpowered and dreadfnlly injured, Holt to sash an extent that fears are entertained of his reoovery. The noise of the conflict was heard by five of Lord Stamford's keepers, who were watching on the boandariea of his lordship's estate., and who at Mee hurried to the spot. The dogs pursued the ,1 poachers, and kept the men at bay until the I arrival of the keepers, when another severe fight ensued, and two were apprehended. These gave the names of John Webster, a collier, a native of Rotherham, late of Whitwick, Leiceetershire, and John Kirk, native of Mushroom. Inns, Ashby-de.la.Zouch, and late of Greeley and Castle Donnington. Shortly after Policeoonstable Poulteney, etationed at Quorndon, who was out on his beat about half a mile off at the time of the affray, and who, hearing the disturbance, hastened to the assistance of the keepers, received the prisoners in custody and brought than to the county police-station at Leicester. In their flight the poacher. left behind them five large game nets, which were taken possession of by the police. The two prisoners, who when apprehended had found upon them I in their pockete a large number of atones, were in the course of Saturday taken before the magistrates, the ' Rev. Henry James Hooky us and Captain Poehin, on the charge of wilful murder of Thomas Hill. They were remanded until Wednesday, and at once conveyed for greater security to the county gaol. Bradshaw and Holt, the other keepers who were injared, were removed from the ground soon after the conflict to their homes, where they have since been under the rare of Mr. Wood, surgeon; they are still tenorted to be in a danger,. state. At the inquest on the holy of Thomas Hill, which took place on ica?,laY, the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against the two prisoners, and the coroner made out is warrant for their commitment for trial at the Lekeetershire Assizes.