Wateringbury burglar resists arrest in Brentwood (1872)

Post date: Aug 05, 2012 6:20:41 PM

Extract from Essex Standard of 26 July 1872:

At a special Session held at Brentwood last Friday, before the Rev. J. Pearson and the Hon. F. Petre, John Thomas, of Maidstone, Kent, and Henry King, of Wateringbury, Herts [there is no Wateringbury in Herts] were charged, on remand with committing a burglary at the house of Mr. Geo. Rogers, Wennington Hall, on the night of the 10th July. During the night in question prosecutor's residence was burglariously entered, and plate and other articles to the value of about £25 were stolen. Suspicion fell upon the prisoners, who were seen together in the locality shortly after the burglary with two coats (a portion of the stolen property) in their possession. Two policemen pursued and came upon them at a public house near Barking Railway Station. Upon the constables endeavouring to take them into custody, they violently resisted, and a desperate struggle ensued, in which the police had to use their truncheons freely. They were eventually conveyed to the Station, and in a bag which they had with them, was found the stolen plate, and a number of house- breaking implements. Both the constables, as well as the prisoners were much injured in the scuffle, and the latter have since been under medical treatment. — Prisoners were committed for trial at the next Assize, and the Bench complimented the constables for their conduct in the case.