Among the many more minor offences committed in Southam in the 1840s, one more serious crime stands out in the career of Inspector George Smallbones. This was reported at the time as: ‘Attempted Murder: … he drew his revolving pistol and fired one of its barrels into P C Read’s ear …’  The offender, Daniel Davenport, a labourer and former employee at the Bull Inn, Southam, was wanted for the attempted murder of Sergeant Read of the Knightlow Constabulary at Southam.

The episode began early in 1848 when Davenport was charged by the Southam magistrates with non-compliance with an order to pay 1s 6d per week towards the support of his illegitimate child and its mother, Ann Gibbard. With arrears due for the non-payments, a warrant was issued for his apprehension and Sergeant Read was dispatched to arrest him at his home in Wormleighton in August 1848.

Sergeant Read accosted Davenport along the main road near the village as he was ‘breaking stones’. Davenport asked if he could return to his father’s cottage in order to change his shirt, which Read permitted before they began their journey back to Southam. It was at this point that events took a twist when the prisoner said, ‘… suppose I won’t come … what would you do?’  to which the sergeant replied, ‘… I’d get a cart and fetch you …’

Drama quickly followed as they approached a canal bridge at Fenny Compton, when Davenport suddenly stopped, stepped back, drew a revolver and shouted: ‘…then damn your eyes, here’s something to carry you …’ before firing one of the barrels, the bullet entering just below Read’s ear.

Luckily, although clearly hurt, the officer recovered enough to plead for his life, just as a canal barge appeared in sight, at which, the criminal exclaimed: ‘… I’ve got some more barrels for you … you were not going to take me to Southam … ’. Having been observed by the men on the barge, he quickly made his escape.

At the time it was thought that the sergeant, who was aged forty and married, was unlikely to survive, but he was able to get help and returned to duty in October, although he was left paralysed in the tongue because of his injuries.

Inspector Smallbones began an immediate investigation. A £100 reward was offered and the crime widely reported, and some months later, intelligence emerged resulting in Davenport being apprehended by Inspector Smallbones in the White Horse public house in Bishops Castle, Shropshire, where he had been residing, having made every effort to disguise himself.

Brought to Warwick Assizes, he was tried in April 1850, charged with three indictments: firing a pistol with intent feloniously to kill and murder; grievous bodily harm; and common assault. In his defence, Davenport claimed he: ‘… never had any feeling of revenge … it was purely an act of impulse …there was no evidence of malice …’

Indeed, he was lucky as the jury found him not guilty of the first charge, but guilty of the other two. The judge’s hands were tied, and he could merely state: ‘…there were no mitigating circumstances … the prisoner’s intentions were serious and unjustifiable …’ before passing the fullest sentence allowed under the law: transportation to Australia for life.

Warwick Prison, Cape Road: Reproduced from the “Our Warwickshire” website © WCRO: CR2092/84, img,10263

Dr Raffell’s new book, Southam: Law, Order and Policing – Part 1 is now available from Southam Heritage Collection, price £5.

Southam Heritage Collection is located in the atrium of Tithe Place opposite the Library entrance.  Opening times Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. To find out more about Southam’s history, visit our website www.southamheritage.org  telephone 07710 012052 or email  southamheritage@hotmail.com  You can also follow us on Facebook.