South Yorkshire Times, November 10th, 1951
Alleged Attack – Kilnhurst Man for Trial – Bail Plea Refused
“In my blind rage I thought I would kill both the kids and leave the wife alone and face the consequences myself,” was the statement alleged to have been made by a Kilnhurst fitter when seen by a police officer following a disturbance at his house
Unhappy Marriage
At Rotherham West Riding Court on Friday last the man Walter Smith, (39), of 24, Thomas Street, Kilnhurst, appeared on a charge of attempting to strangle his seven-years-old daughter Jill with intent to murder her. He was represented by Mr. J. P. Crehan. Mr. M. D. Shaffner prosecuting said Smith and his wife had had an unhappy marriage and this was the culmination of a series of domestic differences.
On October 13th there was a violent quarrel between husband and wife and various things, including a wireless set, were thrown about. At one time, he said, he understood that a bicycle had been thrown out of the house, Jill and her brother John, who because of the disturbance, got out of bed at 2 a.m. went downstairs and started playing a game of cards.
The husband alleged that at one time the wife tried to put a piece of flex round his neck. The quarrel continued until the accused was alleged to have taken hold of Jill and wound the flex round the child’s neck so tightly that a doctor who saw the child later was of the opinion that she had lost consciousness. The mother and brother attempted to get Smith away from the child and eventually he realised. He released his hold and the flex became slack.
Seen by police officers as he was coming out of a telephone kiosk, Smith said “I have just been telephoning the police and ambulance, I have nearly straggled my daughter Jill.”
Wrecked Radio
Smith took the officers to the house and showed them the flex. The house was in a state of disorder. Kitchen chairs had been overturned and there was glass and crockery under the table. At the bottom of the stairs were pieces of what had been a wireless cabinet and a broken wireless valve while near the door there were splashes apparently made by a bottle of tomato sauce, not necessarily thrown that day.
The child was taken to hospital and it was found that round her neck was a complete circular bruise 1 ½ inches broad with haemorrhage underneath the skin. In the Dr’s opinion the child had lost consciousness and if Smith had persisted the child might have died. In an alleged voluntary statement Smith said “I had the cleaner flex in my hand which I had taken off her, and I half-turned. The flex fell over the daughter’s head and shoulders and a sudden rage came to me that it was the only way out. I pulled the wire tight and while the wife was there, I kept pulling. I got hold of the lad but let him go. In my blind rage I thought I would kill both kids and leave the wife alone and face the consequences myself. I had no intention of touching the wife.”
Would Not Speak
Dr. W. G. Thompson of Mexborough Montagu Hospital said when the child was admitted to hospital she would not speak. She eventually came round and after being in hospital for a few days made a good recovery. In his opinion, the bruising round the neck was consistent with a flex or rope having been wound round it and he thought she would have lost consciousness. He described Smith as a “powerful, well-built man.”
John Smith, the accused’s 12-years-old son said his mother sent him to P.c. Brown’s home but he was not in. After calling at another policeman’s home without success, he returned home and found Jill downstairs with her mother. His mother tried twice to put a piece of flex round his father’s neck but he took it from her. The children were knocked to the floor in a struggle and his father got the flex round Jill’s neck. His father got hold of him (John) round the neck but he escaped.
Heard Screams
Leo Spencer Smith Wynn Turton, Miner, of 43, Springfield Road, Kilnhurst said in the early hours of October 14th he heard a woman screaming. Walking into Victoria Street he saw Mrs. Smith, with John. As a result of what she told him he telephoned for the police. He then walked towards Thomas Street and met the accused who was carrying the little girl. Turton said he asked Smith “What have you been doing to this little child?” and he replied “I have tried to strangle her, Jack.” Turton said he told Smith he had telephoned for the police and Smith did not reply. In answer to Mr. Crehan, Turton said that when he met accused, he seemed to be quite calm. He was not hysterical. The child was well wrapped up, he said.
“She Came Round”
P.c. Brown said in answer to a “999” call, he went to a house in Thomas Street, Kilnhurst and saw Smith. Smith said “I thought I had killed her but she came round.” Later when cautioned and charged he said “it was through losing my temper.” Smith was committed for trial at Leeds Assizes which commenced on Wednesday.