Francis Lawrence
Francis was a promising young northern jockey who rode for Mr James Watson of Bellisle, near Richmond. Just before Christmas, 1865, he got into an argument with Robert Roberts, Mr Watson’s head lad. They had often rowed before but this time there were to be dire consequences.
Francis was a promising young northern jockey who rode for Mr James Watson of Bellisle, near Richmond. Just before Christmas, 1865, he got into an argument with Robert Roberts, Mr Watson’s head lad. They had often rowed before but this time there were to be dire consequences.
Roberts had requested Lawrence to go and fill a boiler. Lawrence refused and ran away. Roberts set off in hot pursuit and Lawrence grabbed a pitchfork and threw it at him.
Roberts had requested Lawrence to go and fill a boiler. Lawrence refused and ran away. Roberts set off in hot pursuit and Lawrence grabbed a pitchfork and threw it at him.
The fork entered Roberts’ mouth and right eye, fatally wounding him. Despite immediate medical attention, he died in agony an hour later.
The fork entered Roberts’ mouth and right eye, fatally wounding him. Despite immediate medical attention, he died in agony an hour later.
Francis, panicking, hid himself, but was arrested and taken into custody. Having committed the crime in the heat of the moment, he was utterly distraught.
Francis, panicking, hid himself, but was arrested and taken into custody. Having committed the crime in the heat of the moment, he was utterly distraught.
Francis, a popular, hard-working lad, had ridden at many race meetings in the north, including Newcastle, Carlisle, Catterick & Richmond. He had belonged to the Newcastle Shoeblack Brigade (an organisation which allowed children to attend Ragged School in return for cleaning shoes) and was clearly trying to better himself.
Francis, a popular, hard-working lad, had ridden at many race meetings in the north, including Newcastle, Carlisle, Catterick & Richmond. He had belonged to the Newcastle Shoeblack Brigade (an organisation which allowed children to attend Ragged School in return for cleaning shoes) and was clearly trying to better himself.
He was brought before the magistrate on Saturday, December 16, 1865.
He was brought before the magistrate on Saturday, December 16, 1865.
He was charged with manslaughter, but was fully acquitted after the jury heard that he had been 'subjected to a system of abuse at the hands of the deceased'.
He was charged with manslaughter, but was fully acquitted after the jury heard that he had been 'subjected to a system of abuse at the hands of the deceased'.
Roberts, who lived near Hull, left a widow and two children, totally unprovided for. Friends of the family organized collections.
Roberts, who lived near Hull, left a widow and two children, totally unprovided for. Friends of the family organized collections.