South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 08 August 1942

Wombwell Man Remanded

Alleged  Manslaughter

Arthur Whitehead (43), Unemployed, of 5, Queen Street, Wombwell, was remanded on bail at Barnsley West Riding Court on Monday having been charged with the alleged manslaughter of his father-in-Law. William J. Sambrook (52), of 30, Queen Street, Wombwell.

Supt. H. F. Varley said Whitehead was charged with causing the death of his father-in-law by striking him in the face with his fist on Sunday, August 2nd. It appeared that about 12.30 a.m. Whitehead was quarrelling with his wife, who went for her father. The father came to the house and it was alleged that the accused struck him with his fist knocking him to the ground. He died later.

Supt. Varlet said that as the case was not completed he asked for Whitehead to be remanded on bail to August 21st. The application was granted, bail being allowed in the sum of £20 and a surety of £20. Whitehead has three children.

Sambrook leaves a widow and six children, all away from home but one. He has lived at Queen Street, Wombwell, for two years, and prior to that resided at Edlington. He was employed at Darfield Main Colliery up to nine months ago and recently had worked at a munitions plant. A native of Staffordshire, he came to Yorkshire about thirty years ago. He was a well-known figure in the New Scarborough district of Wombwell.

The inquest on Sambrook was opened at the Methodist Schools, Park Street, Wombwell, on Monday and after formal evidence had been takes the Coroner (Mr C. J. Haworth) said he would adjourn it to his office at Wakefield a month hence. Addressing the jury, of which Mr. E. S. Wroe was foreman, he intimated that it might not be necessary to call them again.

Professor F. Sutherland, County Pathologist, said he had conducted a post mortem examination at Wombwell mortuary. The cause of death was fracture of the skull with subdural haemorrhage. The fracture was round the back of both sides of the skull. The appearances suggested that Sambrook had fallen on the back of his head.

Detective Officer K Adams said that on being called to 30 Queen Street, Wombwell, at 6.30 a.m. on Sunday he saw the dead body of a man lying on a couch to the living room. He did not know Sambrook personally. The man was dressed in his jacket. There was a mark on the bridge of the nose and blood was coming from the right ear. He appeared not to have been long dead. Witness had the body removed to the mortuary.

Mrs. Minnie Sambrook gave evidence of identification. She said her husband had been employed as a general labourer at a munitions plant. She last saw her husband alive between 12.10 and 1 a.m. on Sunday. He was brought home later and died at 4.15 a.m. She did not see what happened.

The Coroner said he had received from the Clerk of the Magistrates at Barnsley a communication to say that a man had been charged with manslaughter and the case had been adjourned. In these circumstances he did not think it necessary to trouble the jury further except to ascertain identity and the cause of death. Dr. Sutherland had stated that the cause of death was fracture of the skull.

The inquest was then adjourned as stated.

The interment took place at Wombwell Cemetery yesterday (Thursday), the service being conducted by the Rector of Wombwell (Canon J. St. Leger Blakeney). The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. H. L. Guest, undertaker and funeral director, 21 Park Street, Wombwell (Phone Wombwell 178).