The Cotton Factory Times. — 1888-08-03 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

EIGHT YEARS' PENAL SERVITUDE.  At Chester Assizes on Monday, before Mr. Justice Field. John Cocker (24), described as a factory worker, was indicted for the attempted murder of Sarah Jane Smith, aged 16, at Tytherington, on the 16th April. It was stated that the prisoner and prosecutrix had been keeping company for about tab years, and this had been done against the wish of her parents. About half-past six on the morning in question prisoner and Smith proceeded to walk from Macclesfield to Bollington to procure work. They went along a footpath towards Bollington, and over a canal bridge. They met a man named Doyle in a field, and having had some conversation with him as to the probability of getting work at Bollington, prisoner and the girl proceeded along the towing path, and when under the canal bridge the prisoner, without any word of warning stepped behind her and pushed her into the water. Raving done that he threw after her a can containing some eatables, which he had taken with him, and he called out to her "Sink, sink," and then ran off towards Macclesfield. Prosecutrix was left absolutely unaided in that position, and went under the water once. A man hearing screams and shouting ran to the canal, and observed the girl in the water. Fortunately the man was just in time to save her from drowning. When she had been taken from the water the prisoner came running back and professed to be very surprised and asked what was the matter. After that the prisoner and girl walked back towards! Macclesfield, and the girl made a complaint to her mother with reference to what had taken place. When the prisoner was apprehended and charged with the offence he replied that he did go along the bank, but he did not get that far, and turned back and went towards Macclesfield. Counsel said he would be able to prove that the prisoner's statement was absolutely untrue.—Sarah Jane Smith was called, and said she resided at Macclesfield, and had been keeping company with the prisoner about two years against her parent's wish. Oh the morning in question they proceeded to Bollington to seek employ. meet. They had worked in the same mill at Macclesfield as cotton weavers. She was living with her parents, and the prisoner was in lodgings. She was dismissed from the mill because she had been off three days. The prisoner thereupon left his work as well. When walking to Bollington they met a man named Doyle, a spinner, in a field they were crossing, and afterwards she and the prisoner walked along the towing path of the canal. As they were passing underneath a canal bridge the prisoner pushed her into the water, and cried out " Sink, r swatwnhakeyn.': a She mnamedher,ora and dn minutes then ran d dragged her out of the water. After she had been got out prisoner riawn aesr in stood ohcde a waterlrakueg h about mg ea t u p fivea came running up and said, "Oh. dear, dear, what's the matter ? ' She then walked away, and the Prisoner ran after her, and asked, "Will you let me finish oil'"y When she had walked some distance and arrived at Tytherington, prisoner asked her to go into the Blue Bell Inn and have some brandy and dry her clothes, but she refused—Cross-examined: She remembered some months before walking out with some girls and met the prisoner. Someone spoke to him, telling him that she did not want him. Prisoner then answered, "If I don't have her no one else shall." They had been on friendly terms, and the prisoner had visited her parents' house. Iler parents objected to her marrying him, although the banns had been put up. Other evidence was given, and for the defence it it was suggested that the girl had jumped into the water. After considerable deliberation the prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to eight years' penal servitude.