MURDER OF A CONSTABLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12260, 2 May 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

MURDER OF A CONSTABLE.

THREE GYPSIES OFT 15 YEARS' PENAL SERVITUDE. JUSTICE Daiimng, at Staffordshire Assizes, sentenced Joseph, John, and Thomas Sheriff, three gypsies, to 15 years' penal servitude each for the manslaughter of P.C. Price at Stretton, on January 25.

The retold story of the crime is briefly that Price went with another man to prisoners' encampment to search for stolen ferrets. Thomas was seen to throw stones in the direction whence the constable went, and the other two followed, both carrying heavy sticks. Blows were heard exchanged, and soon after prisoners' struck camp and went away. Price, who was bleeding from the. head," was taken to Burton Infirmary, where he succumbed, his skull being fractured. Some days elapsed before prisoners were arrested, and Sergeant Hutchinson, who came across them at Church Bougbton, was set upon and left insensible. Whilst in custody Joseph said, "I don't care whether wet get hung at Derby or Stafford. I've oiled bolts at both places, and whitewashed the hole*." Thomas told his brother to shut up, and Joseph said, "If they hang us three it will cut up our family." Thomas denied that he struck the policeman, Joseph alleged that Price was injured through falling over a gate, whilst John said they ran away because they were deserters. The jury returned a verdict of "Manslaughter," and the judge said he felt he should not be properly protecting the police and the public if he passed a less sentence that 15 years' each. Prisoners expressed thanks, and left the dock apparently unconcerned