James Kilburne

A Northants Cattle Dealer

Murderously Assaulted and Robbed

9th December 1882

Two powerfully-built men, named Daniel Gallagher [sic] (25), labourer, and George Perkins (33), shoe rivetter, were charged at the Leicester Borough Police Court, on Monday, with having, together with another man not in custody, violently assaulted and robbed James Kilburne, cattle dealer, of Desborough, Northamptonshire, on Saturday night. Kilburne appeared very weak, and had to be accommodated with a chair whilst giving his evidence. He stated that on Saturday night he was at a public-house in Belgrave-gate,  where he saw the prisoners, who offered to take him to the Midland Railway Station if he would stand treat. He paid for a quart of ale, and the prisoners and another man left with him to show him the road to the station. They turned into a back street, and the prosecutor was about to turn back, as he did not think the prisoners were going the right way, when Gallaghen hit him a blow on the back of his head, which felled him to the ground. Prosecutor cried "Murder," but Gallaghen filled his mouth with a piece of cloth, and called to the others, "Kick him, and leave him dead." Whilst the other men were kicking him Gallaghen laid hold of one of prosecutor's hands, in which he had got £3 10s. in gold. Gallaghen failing to open his hand, beat it with a stick till he was in a terrible state, and one mass of raw flesh. Assistance came, and the prisoners ran off with the £3 10s. and a gold pin. Prosecutor was conveyed to a house, where his injuries were attended to. He identified both prisoners as two of the men who robbed him.

—George Cameron identified Galleghan [sic], whom he saw kick prosecutor.

—Albert Baum spoke to pursuing Gallaghen, and capturing him. They had a severe struggle, when two soldiers came to his assistance, and he was handed over to the police.

—Perkins was apprehended the same night, but the third man has not yet been captured.

—Both prisoners were remanded.

 Northampton Mercury, Saturday 16 December 1882