QSR1843/1/5/50

Depositions - William Wilds charged with assaulting William Ashton in the execution of his duty

14 November 1842

From: 1842 To: 1843

William Ashton of Luton, superintendent of police - on Saturday 5 November between 6 and 7pm he was on duty on the Market Hill in Luton. There was a great crowd assembled in the street. Wilds was running down the Market Hill with a lighted fire bale in his hand. As soon as Wilds saw him he flung the fire bale at him and ran away. He pursued him and took him into custody. AS he was taking him to the cage he was followed by over 300 persons who flung stones at him all the way. Henry Smalley of Luton, police constable - he was standing with Mr Ashton in front of John Waller's shop near the market place in Luton. There was a large bonfire on the Market Hill and a great crowd of people round. He saw William Wilds go up to the fire and light something. He carried it about 3 yards and it went out. He returned and lit it again. The crowd then opened on both sides towards where they were standing. Wilds ran down the centre of them and when he got about 2 or 3 yards from Mr Ashton he threw a ball of fire composed of rags dipped in tar and tied round with wire at Mr Ashton's face and then ran away. Mr Ashton pursued Wilds. He [Smalley] stayed and put out the light. When he turned round he saw the crowd all running one way. He went towards them and found Mr Ashton with Wilds in his custody near Mr Harrison's shop. Wilds was refusing to go further. He said to Wilds "go on" and he then went on peaceably, but the mob began pelting them with stones which they kept up until they got to the cage.

item

Wilds, William,
Ashton, William,
Smalley, Henry,
Waller, John

LUTON, Luton Market Hill, assault, police superintendent, police constable, Bonfire Night