Drunken brawl in Preston led to tragic death of good Samaritan

Events on the third Saturday of April 1881 led to the appearance in the dock at the Manchester Assizes in early May of cotton spinner James Hunter, aged 20, and iron turner Alfred Foster, aged 17, accused of wilfully killing and murdering William Eccleston, aged 27, a tailor by trade.

For the prosecution Preston lawyer John Addison, Q.C. Outlined the case stating that on the night of the killing a woman named Gerritty who after having too much to drink in the Coach & Horses on Percy Street left in a staggering state and ended up leaning against the nearby brewery wall. A number of youths had become aware of her situation and gathered around her.

The accused were amongst them and it was claimed that the pair had treated her roughly and indecently, dragging her across the street. William Eccleston, a father of three, had seen the situation develop and when he heard the woman cry out for help he interfered on her behalf.

Within a minute he had slapped a lad called Henry Wilkinson in the face and punched another lad called Wood. As he was in the process of slapping Wilkinson again he ducked his head and the blow fell upon Hunter who responded by challenging Eccleston to a fight. Squaring up to Eccleston he then punched him on the shin with his clog.

Eccleston responded by shoving his attacker away and was preparing to leave when Foster came up to him and tupped him in the face with his head. A full bloodied skirmish then followed with Hunter eventually taking a running kick at Eccleston and Foster who had himself been floored by a blow getting up and kicking Eccleston in the abdomen with his clogged foot. In conclusion Mr. Addison suggested both men were guilty of murder.

P.C. Jarvis Lambourne stated he had arrived at the scene after the commotion had died down and saw the lifeless body of Eccleston. Following information from those at the scene he went to Hunter’s house and apprehended him that night and the following morning he arrested Foster. Both had been wearing pointed clogs according to witnesses and the constable showed them to the court, they being shod with iron and tipped with brass nails. Both men when charged denied inflicting the fatal blows.

Preston surgeon Dr. A.C. Rayner told the court he was called to the scene and attended to the dead boy of Eccleston, observing that there were four lacerated wounds on the head and a great loss of blood. The day after when he conducted a post mortem he found extensive haemorrhaging on the brain and marks of violence caused by kicks or blows.

In defence of the accused Mr. Blair submitted that there was no real evidence against Foster whose only violent act was the tupping of Eccleston under the chin prior to the deathly brawl and suggestions he kicked him in the abdomen were mistaken.

Hunter was represented by Mr. Foard who pointed out that no matter what brutality he had seen inflicted on the woman Eccleston had no right to strike the accused as he did. In his view the drunken state of the individuals involved had developed into a sorrowful situation and Hunter had no intention of killing the deceased.

His Lordship Justice Williams in summing up told the jury they must decide if murder or manslaughter had been committed by either of the accused. And that they must ascertain if there was any intention to kill.

The jury returned to court after a short deliberation and returned a verdict of guilty of manslaughter against both the prisoners. His Lordship addressed the prisoners saying they had been convicted of a most violent crime with the use of clogs, but considering there had been some provocation he would display mercy in his sentencing.

Hunter was then sentenced to five years penal servitude and Foster was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.