Sheffield Independent – Wednesday 12 December 1923

Desperate Poachers.
Gamekeeper Shot At In Wombwell Wood.

A sensational affray in Wombwell Wood on the night of 27 October was investigated at the West Riding Assizes at Leeds, before Mr. Justice McCardie, yesterday. The prisoners were Harry Wigglesworth (24), miner, 30, Blythe street, Wombwell; Joseph Dyson (34), miner, of Edward street, Wombwell; and Edward Dyson, his brother (28), living at Station lane, Wombwell.

There were five counts on the indictment, and the three prisoners were jointly charged with being the estate of Capt. Vernon Wentworth, of Wentworth Castle, near Barnsley, armed with a gun, for the purpose of poaching. Joseph Dyson was also charged with shooting at Joseph Taylor with intent him grievous bodily harm, and with common assault on Taylor.

Keepers in Ambush.

Edward Dyson was further charged with unlawfully wounding Thomas Ratcliffe. Prisoners pleaded “Not guilty” to all accounts, except that of common assault, to which Joseph Dyson pleaded “Guilty.”

Mr. F. J. O. Coddington prosecuted, and Mr. W. P. Donald defended.

Mr. Coddington said all the charges arose out of a poaching affair in the early morning of Sunday, 27 October. The gamekeepers hid themselves behind a wall in Wombwell Wood. A couple of shots were heard, and very shortly afterwards the three prisoners came out of the wood.

They were at once tackled by the gamekeepers, and Wigglesworth was captured. In his possession were found three dead pheasants.

Crack Shot of Battalion.

Joseph Dyson ran away, and turning round, fired a gun at his pursuer.

Joseph Dyson, in the witness-box, said that when he was in training in the Army, was the crack shot of the battalion. He did not shoot at Taylor, but pointed the gun to frighten him and fired in the air.

The jury found Wigglesworth and Joseph Dyson “Guilty” of night poaching, and returned a verdict of “Not guilty” against Edward Dyson. A verdict of “Not guilty” was returned on all the other counts of the indictment.

The Judge said the critical circumstances in night poaching led very often to more serious charges. The two prisoners would have to go to prison for seven months’ hard labour.