A HARD CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1116, 9 June 1883, Page 3

A HARD CASE.

A Ic'ter has been received from the Home Office (say* the Newcastle Chronicle) intimating the release from prison of two pitmen, Richard Walford and Henry Hardwick, who were found guilty, at the Northumberland Assizes in April 1879, of shooting at. John Matthew Robson with intent to do him grievous bodily harm According to the evidence given in the case, it appeared that John Robson, of Duddo Hill farm, near Stanington, bad gone with his son (the prosecutor) and his brother to the gate of the farm, where they found several men, among whom it was sworn were the prisoners and another pitman named Morgan, The farmer ordered the’rnen off the ground ns trespassers, and after an angry parley, it appears two gunshots were fired by the trespassers, the shot taking effect on the elder and the younger Robson, and on other persons standing by. Evidence was given of the accused having uttered threats against the Robsons, and though no fewer than thirteen persons came forward and swore tliat at the time of the occurrence Walford, Hardwick, and Morgan were elsewhe r e, the fury found the two former guilty, and Walford was sentenced to twenty, and Harwich to fifteen years’ paual servitude. Strong .representations were made to the Home authorities that a miscarriage of justice had taken place, and it was not until the real culprits, brought to the hulks for some other offence, thought proper to declare their guilt, that Her Majesty was recommended to bestow on the unfortunate Walford and Harwich pardon for a crime they had never eon.milled.