William Hector

341

Maureen Withey on 19th March 2024

SOMERSET ASSIZES. Crown Court, Monday. Thomas Fone, Thomas Lock, and William Hector, were indicted for having, in the parish of Stoke-under-Hamdon, on the 9th November last, feloniously assaulted William Crocker, and robbed him of 3 sovereigns and other articles, his property, and wounded him on the left side of the head. Mr. Kinolare conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr. Stone defended Thomas Lock and William Hector. William Crocker stated that he stated that he was returning home from Crewkerne about ? o’clock in the evening of the 9th November, that when be was about five miles from Crewkerne, he was stopped by three men, one laid hold of the bridle of his home and one stood each side of him; in an instant he was thrown from his horse, and soon on his back on the road; one of the men then laid upon his head, and another across his feet; one of them put his fingers into his mouth prevent his calling out, witness bit his fingers as hard as he could; the, third man rifled his pockets, taking out 3 sovereigns. 2 half-sovereigns, and some keys; they then all got up and one kicked him on the head and deprived him of his senses; upon recovering, he found the blood flow from his head; it was not a moon-light night, but it was not dark. Hector was the man who had hold of the bridle: he had on jacket; he was not so positive to the identity until the prisoner took his jacket before the Magistrate, and then he was sure he was the man; he was very much alarmed. Joseph Bussell, the keeper of the lock-up house in Bridgwater, had the prisoner in custody five days after the robbery; found on Lock 3 sovereigns. 3 half-sovereigns, and half-a-crown, some keys, and handkerchief with marks of blood on it; one of the keys unlocked the lock of Mr. Crocker’s house; it was key with peculiarly small bore; had tried several other locks with it, but it would not unlock them. George Pool was present when Lock and Hector were selling the horse at Bridgwater on the 14th November ; took them into custody from belief that the horse was stolen. John Parts went to Bridgwater the 14th November; passed Lock and Hector in the street; saw them afterwards at Pool’s, told Pool suspected that the horse they had sold was stolen, Pool afterwards told this to the prisoner, upon which Lock said had heard there was warrant out against him about the Crewkerne robberv, and he would throw himself up, but it was so long to be in gaol before the Assises ; this time they were not apprehended hut they did not attempt to make their escape. Charles Pool saw the two Bridgwater; they shewed him horse ; told them had beard something from Cnwkeroe; Lock said to Hector we had better be off, we shall be taken; one of them said, it would have been all right, but for their jumping on his head; Lock said he was in for it and he would throw himself up; but Hector said will be off ... The Judge having summed up. the Jury returned a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners.--Judgment of death recorded. Dorset County Chronicle, 9 April 1840.