Alleged Attempted Murder at South Shields
Article from Newcastle Daily Journal
This article uses language that was not uncommon at the time, but readers may now consider offensive.
Coloured men’s quarrel
At the South Shields Police Court, yesterday, Evan Jackson (41), marine fireman, belonging to the United States, was brought up on a charge of attempting to murder a shipmate named Thomas Carey, of Barry Dock, on August 20th. Prosecutor and accused are both coloured men.
Prosecutor stated that when his vessel was in the Tyne on August 20th, witness and a fireman named Lewis were ashore. In South Shields Market Place, Jackson came up to them and wanted to borrow 10s from witness. He refused to lend him the money, and went on board his ship, leaving Lewis and Jackson in the market square. About 10 pm Lewis and prisoner came on board, and the latter tried to quarrel again, asking him why he would not lend the 10s, and taunting him about his money. Witness got into his bunk and prisoner said: “I am going to kill you,” and soon rushed towards the bunk and said: “I will cut you.” Witness felt something sharp across his throat, and found that his throat was cut. He jumped up, but soon collapsed, and knew nothing more till at the Infirmary.
Dr Emery, house surgeon at the Infirmary, stated that Carey, when admitted to that institution was suffering from an incised wound, eight inches long, across the throat, from near the left ear to the right side. The main muscles on the left side were severed, and the large blood-vessel, which was exposed, had only just missed being cut. Prosecutor was in a precarious condition for three days, but was now recovering.
PC Gardiner spoke to going on board the vessel and apprehending the accused, whom he charged with maliciously wounding Carey. He replied, “I did it in self-defence, I shall say nothing.”
Accused was remanded until Tuesday for the completion of the depositions, and his committal for trial at the Assizes.
Date: 7-Sep-1918
Author: Newcastle Daily Journal
Where to find this: British Newspaper Archive
Contributed by Fiona Johnson, Durham
