The Blackpool Herald. — 1891-07-10 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

QUEER C'USTOMER.  Orpitt excitement was caused amongst the people who were on the North Pier on Saturday evening, about ton minutes past seven, by a man jimping over the side into the incomizag tide from a point almost opposite Mr. Slaters fruit shop. The structure at the time was crowded, anti it is a matter of surprise to many that this man's object was not seen anti that he was not stopped before he could perform the rash act. It was painful to the hundreds of people who quickly congregated on hearing the cry of "Man over," to see an old grey-headed man struggling in the water without any of them being *We to render him assistance. It was quite *Went that the water was not very deep—about 7 51st—for he easily ,struggled to the north side of tbe pier, where,however,he seemed to be exhausted. 1 A boatman, named William Caton, quickly came to the rescue, by which time, however, the man was completely under water. Caton caught hold at him and kept his head above the surface until another boat came to his assistance, containing Dr. Butcher, who administered reotoratives. The man was then taken on to the &ands, where, after some little time, he Game round. It was quite evident that he was under the influence of drink, but lie sufaciently recovered as to be able to walk to the promenade with the assistance of P.S. Squires and P.C. Davidson. P.C. Jenkinson Dad meanwhile been looking after the wheel ambulance stretcher, upon which the man was placed and taken to the police station. From subsequent statements the rescued one made, it was thought that it was not a case of attempted suicide, but simply a drunken freak, or a feat of bravado. He said be had done such things, and better things before, and he was not afraid to do It again. His name turned out to be Richard Yates, of Mayer-street, Pendleton, near Manchester, aged 52 years, and he appeared quite unconcerned upon being brought before the magistrates oil Monday. The Chief Constable withdrew the charge of attempted suicide, coonsequent upon the statement be had made, and be was tried simply on theoount of being drunk. In answer to the question as to whether he had anything to say. Yates stated that he committed the ea just as a " prank : " he had done greater feats than that. (Laughter). As to being drunk, he had only had two glasses of beer. Carrie Dean, a young lady employed at Mr. Slater's fruit shop, deposed to the man coming to the shop soon after seven o clock, and after asking the prioe of strawberries, giving her 3s. &1., with the remark: " Tek care o' that till I come back." In her opinion he was drunk at the time. She paid no more attention to him, but when she went to the side in response to the cry of "Man over," she saw it was the ' same man who had left the money with her.—P.C. Jenkinson also testified to the man being drnek. Yates pleaded that it was enough .to make anybody drunk getting over the pier—(laughter)— but he thought they were mistaken, as he was a cripple—being lame in the rignt leg—at the beet of times. The Bench, however, found him guilty of drunkenness, and imposed a fine of ss. 6d. and oosts, which was paid by the man's daughter.— Yates appeared to be none the worse for his escapade.