Our story starts at the Globe public house, which stood on East Norton Road in Horninghold. It's late morning on Tuesday 8th May 1827 and Benjamin Rawlins, aged 33, is in the pub with John Loomes. Both men are from Stokerston and from the conversation it's clear that Rawlins has sold some ewes and lambs to Loomes for the sum of five pounds. This is the equivalent of around £460 in today's money, meaning that the two men are probably small-scale farmers.

Perhaps they're there to celebrate the transaction, for according to the landlord, Edward Palmer, they get through several pints of ale. Perhaps fuelled by the ale, a dispute arises over non-payment for the sheep. Andrew Brian, another customer, overhears Rawlins say 'I must have the money' and Loomes repling 'I've not got it, but I know where it is'. Things now start kicking off with Loomes becoming aggressive and confrontational. He attacks the landlord, giving him a black eye, and presumably they are expelled from the pub.

They are next seen by Mary Coleman from her house. She notices that they're quarrelling, with Loomes striking Rawlins two or three times before they disappear up a lane. In all the incidents so far it has been Loomes who has been the aggressor, while witnesses state that Rawlins is known to be a 'peaceable man'.

The pair end up in a field, presumably on a footpath heading towards Stokerston. It's now around one o'clock in the afternoon. Arthur Bates, who is nearby, overhears Rawlins say 'Bugger your eyes, you shall give it to me before you get up'!, saying that both men are clearly very drunk with their voices raised.

Jane Taylor, who is gathering wool close by, hears a man call out twice and goes and finds Rawlins in considerable distress standing over the dead body of Loomes. Rawlins initially panics and says he doesn't know the man, but then he confesses to striking Loomes 'across the throat'. Next Rawlins bumps into Thomas Dixon and he discloses more of what has happened. They return to the body and remove a handkerchief from Loomes' throat, whereby a gurgling noise is heard. Rawlins breaks down in tears and Dixon goes off to get Loomes' family. Thomas Loomes, John's brother, arrives and Rawlins admits ‘I have killed your brother, I struck him back handed across the throat that he died directly’.

Rawlins returns to Horninghold and is secured there before presumably being taken to Leicester Gaol to await trial. Two surgeons are called on to ascertain the case of death. George Vorve from Hallaton concludes that Loomes could have died from the blow to the throat, but it could also have been through intoxication with his head being downhill. The other surgeon is Mr Burbridge who thinks that, if a blow had been given on the throat, it would have caused more discolouration. The professional view is therefore inconclusive.

It is mid August before Rawlins is brought before a jury at Leicester Court, presided over by Lord Tenterton. Tenterton in summing up, advises the jury that if the deceased had struck the prisoner in the field, Rawlins would be justified in striking him in his own defence. He states 'If you think that Rawlins struck the deceased to make him give him the five pounds, then the prisoner is guilty of manslaughter'. The jury duly return a verdict of manslaughter and Tenterton gives a comparatively lenient sentence of three months imprisonment.