Grantham Journal – Saturday 13 June 1903

The Wombwell Murder

An extraordinary scene attended inquest on Tuesday, at Wombwell, the body of William Swann, glass blower, 41, when a crowd of one hundred persons hissed and hooted the deceased’s widow.

A verdict of ” Wilful murder” was returned against John Gallager, who brutally kicked the deceased, fracturing four ribs and the breastbone, and indicting twenty other wounds. The evidence showed that after the deceased had thrashed his wife, she fetched Gallager out a neighbouring house, told him to go and give the deceased something, and hoped he would punch him to death.

Gallager, when told Swann was dead, laughed and danced.