In the early 1800’s there was no professional Police Force, but it was introduced in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel. The Metropolitan Police Act was passed and provided paid Constables, commonly known as ‘Peelers’ or ‘Bobbies’. The Coxhoe Policemen of 1871 were Sgt. John Mielin and PC Peter Bulson; in 1881 there was Sgt. Matthew Taylor. In 1801 to 1901 Sgt. Joseph Wressell was in Charge of Coxhoe Police Station. In the 1930’s there was PC Shiell and PC Stafford.
Coxhoe police station as was, is situated next to the Village Hall and is currently home to Platinum Physiotherapy
The Newspapers are a good source when looking at crimes of the time. The Newcastle Courant of 12th October 1838 reported a murder near Garmondsway. Apparently two men named Dalahide and Hasson, employed at the local railway, had quarreled in a Public house in Coxhoe Pottery over a woman that lived with them. Hasson headed for home thinking the two had made up, but was followed by Dalahide who ‘stabbed him with a knife till his bowels protruded’. The injured man dragged himself to a nearby house, where he identified his assassin before he died. Dalahide was committed to Durham gaol for wilful murder.
The following four reports show how people had to pay for their misdeeds.
The Newcastle Courant Nov 22 1839.
Durham Police- Henry Redhead of Coxhoe, pitman, was fined 2s 6d with 9s 6d costs, for an assault on John Smith, of the same place, pitman.
The Newcastle Courant Mar 13 1840.
Mary Ritson of Coxhoe fined 2s 6d with 8s 6d costs for an assault on Elizabeth Watts of the same place.
The Newcastle Courant July 1 1842.
Isabella Taylor (15) charged with having stolen half sovereign and two half crowns, the property of George Felton of Coxhoe – 3 months hard labour in the house of correction.
The Newcastle Courant Nov 29 1878.
Selling without a licence- George Knaggs innkeeper, Cornforth Lane for selling spirits without a licence was fined £10 including costs.
The following sad tale was reported in The Newcastle Courant May 15 1857.
A woman named Mary Cooke, wife of a quarryman in Coxhoe, murdered her 4 year old son by cutting his throat with a razor. The boy had been sleeping with his 11 year old brother who was awakened by his struggling brother. After noticing the bleeding throat he raced to an adjoining house belonging to his aunt, Elizabeth Barribridge. Elizabeth found her sister near the body of her son, she was bleeding from a neck wound. “Mr. Caines the surgeon was called when it was discovered that the boys throat had been severed from ear to ear, the windpipe and the cartotid artery having been completely cut through” The surgeon was able to stitch up Mrs. Cookes wound as the windpipe had not been cut… Shortly afterwards she began to articulate, and stated that she had killed the child and that sorrow and trouble had made her do it. One razor blade was found in the fire and another was found in a table drawer. An inquest was held but no motive was found. Mary was deaf and it was said that when she saw people talking together she thought they were saying something about her. The jury returned a verdict of “Wilful Murder” against Mary Cooke and a warrant of committal was made out.
Child Murder & Suicide at Coxhoe – Northern Echo March 1 1876.
“Yesterday morning, in consequence of domestic quarrels between William Heathwaite, tailor of Coxhoe, and his wife Sarah, the latter left her home at eight o’clock with her son Thomas of 4 ½ months, and set out to her mother’s at Quarrington Hill. She climbed the rails of Crow Trees reservoir and threw herself and the child into the reservoir. A man named Roe heard her shouting ‘Oh dear’ and on going to the brink saw her floating on the surface, endeavoring to rescue herself. He pulled her out alive but 1 ½ hours elapsed before the child was recovered, when he was found quite dead. Dr. Blandford was called in and restored the mother’s consciousness. She was removed to her mother’s house. Superintendent Dunn was communicated with and the woman now lives at her mother’s house under surveillance of the police”.
A future feature will explore “The Coxhoe Store Murder” the murder of PC William Ralph Shiell.
Coxhoe Local History Group 