Widnes Examiner. — 1909-01-09 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

FRENZIED MAN AND THE SOLICITOR.  Violent, Scene in a :Warrington Office.  A violent scene occurred shortly before noon oat Wednesday at the office of Councillor Thomas S. Steel, solicitor, Mill street, Warrington. It appears that Mr. G. H. Warburton Steel, Councillor Steel's younger brother who works with him, was in hio room when he received an unannounced call from Ur. Alfred Dakin a powerfully built farmer, of Orford, who demanded the sum of £7O, which he said he had left there. He added that unless he got that sum he would cut his (Mr. Steel's) heart out and cut his throat. Mr. Steel, thinking the man was mad, told him he should have the money if he stepped into the general office. Accordingly he conducted Dakin into the general office, where a number of clients were waiting. Councillor Steel had occasion to go into this office from his own private room,when Dakin,who was wearing a big cape and carrying a heavy stick, rushed at him, making some incoherent remarks about £7O. Mr Steel told him he had better go and consult his own solicitor, Mr. Fox. Dakin then said he was going. to have the £7O, and endeavoured to force his way into the private office, adding that if he did not get the money he would stab Mr. Steel. He began to fumble under his cape, and then Mr. Steel struggled with him, eventually gaining access to his office and keeping the man outside. Councillor Pemberton was waiting to see Mr. Steel, and he asked Dakin to be quiet. Dakin said, "Do you say that ?" and Mr. Pemberton replied "Yes." Dakin then whipped out a knife from under his coat and made a lunge with it at Mr. Pemberton, who alertly stepped back, but the weapon :grazed his coat, and he rushed down two flights of stairs into the street.Dakin followed, but stumbled on the second flight. On. getting up he ran into the street, and the outer door of the office was promptly closed. Dakin remained at the door with the knife in his hand, declaring that if he could get in he would murder Mr. Steel, and that if he could not get at him to stab him he would get a revolver to shoot him. The police were telephoned for and Sergeant Heap, the biggest man i the borough force, and several county constables. came upon the scene and seized the man. After a tough struggle he was taken to the Police Station. When searched, three knives, freshly sharpened, were found in his possession, one of which was a cobbler's knife sharpened to a fine point. There is no doubt that if D.Akin had not stumbled on the stairs litr. Pemberton wonld have received' serious injuries. Later in the day Dakin was conveyed to the Work— house where he is still detained. We understand that Mr. Steel has not had any dealings with Dakin, with the exception that eighteen months ago Dakin purchased some property from a client of Mr. Steel, and in the usual course of things he attended at the office to sign the contract and paid a deposit of £7O. Mr. Fox acted for Dakin, and the property was conveyed in the usual way. Mr. Steel has received many letters and telegrams congratulating him on his narrow escape. So early as nine o'clock on Thursday morning a wire came to hand from the Isle of Wight. We hear that owing to Dakin's condition it is not likely that police proceedings will be taken.