Stockport Advertiser : 2nd August 1907 Page 6
Daring Burglary at Brabyn’s Hall, Marple. House Ransacked When Full of Visitors
Early on Wednesday morning (31st July 1907) the drawing room, library, dining room, housekeeper’s apartment and other rooms in Brabyn’s Hall, Marple, were seen by one of the maids to be in a state of great disorder, as if some thief or thieves had been about, and left behind them to marks of their search. The maid at one apprised her fellow servants and Miss Hudson, who was at home, was also apprised of the state of things. The police were telephoned for, and a general search instituted to try and find out what things or valuables were missing and how ingress and egress had been made. The house was full of visitors and lights were extinguished on the previous night shortly after eleven-o-clock, when all the doors, windows, and fastenings were supposed to be safe. It was found that access had been gained through a slit or hole being made in a shutter, the bar lifted, and the window of the drawing room opened. There the drawers were overturned and the same treatment was shown in the drawing room, library and other rooms all on a floor and egress had apparently been made through a window in the housekeeper’s room. All the loose cash, about £12, had been taken, some few old coins from a cabinet, postage stamps and stamped post cards had also been made off with. A purse in the housekeeper’s room was left empty, some valuable silver candlesticks and a box full of valuable silver plate had been left intact. The safe had not been raided.
The affair created quite a little scare for a time. The police have the matter in hand.
Stockport Advertiser – 27th August 1907 Page 6
A Marple Bridge Riot
Police Attacked
“A Bit of Belfast”
Just before midnight on August 10th, in a disturbance at Marple Bridge, Police Constable Coyle was seriously injured and on Wednesday the New Mills Magistrate sat all day hearing about a dozen cases arising out of the affair. There was a full bench, a crowd in court, and Mr Airey, Deputy Chief Constable of the County was present. John Mullins, boatman, Marple Bridge, was charged with being drunk and disorderly to which he pleased not guilty. Mr A Walker, Solicitor, appeared to prosecute for the police and Mr H Bostock defended. Sgt Dickson said that on Saturday, August 10th, shortly after eleven at night, he, with Constable Coyle, found defendant and a man named Close causing a row. The latter went away when ordered but Mullins refused and struck at Coyle, who closed with him. A witness got him down in the road while Coyle succeeded in placing the handcuffs on him, but there was a severe struggle. The constable was injured and unable to render assistance, and the prisoner tried to bite him and to break his fingers. The crowd obstructed the police and pressed so closely on them that they had to give up the idea of taking the defendant to the Police Station and took him home instead. In reply to Mr Bostock for the defence. The sergeant denied that he ill treated the defendant or knelt on him or threatened to ‘bash his head in’. Police Constable Coyle who appeared lame and had to use a stick corroborated and said the crowd closed around and tripped them several times, A man named Stafford tripped him up and he was kicked on the knee and badly injured. Dr Hibbert, of Marple Bridge, said that he saw Sgt Dickson holding the defendant down in the road while Coyle put the handcuffs on. The man resisted violently and was dead drunk.
Mr Bostock in defence, contended that the defendant was not drunk. He admitted, however, that he was excited. The defendant swore that he was quite sober and said his excited condition was caused by police ill treatment. Sidebottom Gaskell also swore that the prisoner was sober and was quiet until interfered with by the police, who poked their sticks.
Edward Naden, James Harrop, Joseph Stafford, Andrew Walsh, John Baycock, Ellen Thompson, Harry Walker, Emma Gaskell and Ellen Ann Mullins, gave evidence for the defence.
Ultimately the bench found the cases proved and imposed a fine of 10s and costs.
David Harrop, James Harrop, Joseph Stafford, Sidebottom Gaskell, Mathew Lally, Benjamin Goddard, Robert Close and Edward Nadin were charged with obstructing the police on the same occasion.
Mr Walker said that when the police had got Mullins in a corner a number of men from the crowd among whom were the prisoners, got round and did their best to trip the officers, seized them and tried to rescue the prisoner. The defendants shouted “let’s give them a bit of Belfast”.
Sgt Dickson said the defendants were the ringleaders. Dr Hibbert said Coyle would not be fit to return to duty until about a fortnight hence.
Mr Bostock, in defence, contended that the defendants did not obstruct the police.
Each prisoner was sworn and denied having obstructed the police or interfering with them.
Close and Nadin were discharged. The two Harrops, Stafford and Goddard were fined 40s and costs or a month’s imprisonment and Gaskell and Lally were fined 20s and costs or fourteen days. The magistrates also allowed advocates fees.
Stockport Advertiser – 20th September 1907 Page 6
Industrial School Youth appeared at Marple Bridge Police Station before Joel Wainwright J.P. having stolen 5s 11d from Mr Dickins whilst working at Windybottom Farm.
