Carlisle Patriot December 27th, 1844 Caution to Drivers of Carts

Caution to Drivers of Carts

Carlisle Patriot - December 27th, 1844

CAUTION TO DRIVERS OF CARTS. ____             At the  recent Liverpool Assizes, Joseph WILKINSON was indicted for the manslaughter of  George TARBUCK, at Wigan, on the 28th of September last. Mr. HUTTON conducted  the prosecution; the prisoner was defended by Mr. JAMES.       The deceased, it appeared was a  child of eighteen months old, whose mother resided in the town of Wigan. She  went into the yard at the back of the house for a few minutes, and on returning  she saw the child coming across the street, towards the house. Some carts were  coming down the street, the drivers, of whom the prisoner was one, being behind.  She ran forward and took hold of one of the horses, but in the meantime the  other horse knocked down the child, and it was taken up dead.       Mr. JAMES was proceeding to  address the jury, when his lordship intimated that it was the duty of the carter  to be at the head of his horse in towns, and, that if he was not, death arising  from such neglect of duty would be manslaughter in  him. Mr. JAMES admitted that he could not alter the facts  as stated for the prosecution. The prisoner was found "guilty."       His lordship stated that he  hoped the present case would be a warning to others in the same occupation as  the prisoner. It was not an aggravated case of manslaughter, but still by the  prisoner's neglect a human being had been deprived of life, and persons in care  of carts should be aware that such neglect rendered them amenable to the  law.       To be imprisoned fourteen  days.     ******************************

 

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