The Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder. — 1885-03-28 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

ATTEMPTED MITRDMLNEAR SWANSEA. At the Pontardswe Police-court, before H. Lloyd and J. E. Moore, Fars, Thomas Close, a refiner, was brought is in custody, charged with attempting to murder Police-constable William Roberto at Isstalyfera. The ecnstable stated that between twelve and half-past on Thursday morning lie was on duty at Ystalyfora, and met the prisoner n-ar the Yetalyfera Hotel. He noticed something bulky under prisoner's coat. He a-ked him where be was going so late, and ri4oner replied, "For a walk." Witness asked him to let him see what he had under his coat, but he took no notice, and walked away fast. Witness overtook prisneer after he had gore 20 or 30 yards. He round and faced the countable, and said, "What is it you want ? " With that prisoner milled a gun from under his coat, put the stock to his sboulder and pointing the run at witness said, " Now on you, go on." Prisoner pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go off. Witness then made an attempt to catch hrld of prisoner, when the latter jumped back about a yard caught hold of the muzzle of the gun, and attempted to strike the constable with the butt end. He avoided the blow by dneltiug hie head. The gun was a double barrelled one, and witness saw prisoner cocking both triggers. He afterwarde put the gun to his shoulder and fired at witness. The gun went off, the contents lodging in his left cheek and ear. He fell and betame quite stupefied for a while. On looking round be saw the prisoner about fifteen yards away, kneeling down on the road. Witness went towards him, but prisoner ran away. As he could not run after him, he went to the Polioe-station.—ln answer to the prisoner witness said he was sure prisoner was the man who fired at him.—Benjamin Richard Evans, a grocer at Ystalyfera, said he was in his bedroom, which i 4 in front of the Yetalyfera Hotel, when he heard someone in the street say, "Go home, go home, will you," or words to that effect. In a minute or two afterwards he heard the report of firearms. He heard sometne say, "Oh, dear me," and looked out of the window, but could see no one.—Policesergeant Davies depos.d to Constable Roberta coming to the police station, and making a complaint to him, giving a full description of the prisoner. In the forenoon of the same day he arrested the prisoner in hie house. Witness asked the prisoner if he had a gun, and he replied in the affirmative, and prodneed a double barrelled gun from a chest of drawers. He asked prisoner if he had been working the previous night, and he replied that he had not. At the police station the prisoner was identified by Roberts as the man who had shot him. The left barrel of the gun was dirty, as if recently discharged.—Dr. David Thomas stated that he was called to see the poll se-constable Roberts. He found the left side of the constable's face covered with exploded wader. The eye was -weeping and very congested. There were two or three shot marks on the cheek bone, and another similar mark on the ear. Blood was issuing from all the wounds. In his opinion no danger was likely to result from the gunshot wounds.—Theprisoner strongly denied the charge, and stated that he could produce witnesses to prove that he was not fishing on the night in question.—The prisoner was committed for trial at the next assizes, bail being refused.  I;;;ed  The Medical profession are now or termg CADBURY'S COCOL ESSENCE in thousands of OEMs femme it contains more nutritious and flesh, forming elements then any other heverare. and is preferable to the thick starchy Coca ordinarily sold. When you ask for Cadbury's COCOE Essence be sure that you net. as shop keepers often push imitations for the sale of erns profits. Makers to the Quses. Paris Depot, 90, Faaboargb S. Hamm