Winslow History | A threatening letter, 1884

A threatening letter, 1884

James Yewlett or Yeulett came from the family which ran the Black Horse until 1881. His wife Louisa was James East's sister.

Bucks Herald, 25 Oct

SPECIAL SESSIONS, SATURDAY, OCT.18.- Before E. W. S. Lowndes, Esq., and G. R. Greaves, Esq.-

James Yewlett, of Winslow, labourer, was charged with causing to be received by James East a certain letter threatening to kill him, at Winslow, on the 11th Oct.- From the statement of the prosecutor, who is a tailor and draper, it appeared that he had previously had an altercation with prisoner, and from what he heard on the day in question he went down to the Windmill Inn, and saw there a man named Saving, and asked him for a letter which he had been shouting about. Saving then gave him a paper, on which was written, “So soon as I can raise the money to buy a revolver and the appurtenances, I will, if convenient, take the life of James East and A. Clear.- Signed, J. Yewlett.”-

This statement was corroborated by William Saving, who said he saw prisoner write it, and to whom prisoner offered 3d. or a pint of ale if he would take it to Mr. East.-

Thomas Lee, saddler, gave evidence to the effect that he heard prisoner say he had a revolver in his pocket, and he would kill both James East and A. Clear with it.-

P.C. Blunt stated that on the 8th Oct. he heard prisoner threaten to burn Mr. East’s places down to the ground.- Evidence was also given by Mr. A. Clear, School Attendance Officer, and by P. S. Bowden.-

For the defence, prisoner called William Ridgway, butcher, William Gibson, labourer, and Samuel Young, labourer, whose evidence, however, did not materially bear on the case.- Prisoner was committed to take his trial at the assizes at Bedford.

Bucks Herald, 1 Nov: Bucks Assizes at Bedford

James Yewlett, 37, labourer, was indicted for feloniously and maliciously sending a letter to James East, at Winslow, threatening to kill and murder him, on the 11th October.

Prisoner pleaded guilty.

The Lord Chief Justice told the prisoner that in cases of that sort sentences of twenty years’ penal servitude had been passed on prisoners. As this, however, was not a bad case, and as the prisoner was strongly recommended to mercy by the prosecutor, he would be sentenced to four months’ imprisonment with hard labour.