Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer – Tuesday 07 October 1947

Lord Halifax’s Story of Alleged Burglary

Lord Halifax was a witness at the West Riding Quajter Sessions at Wakefield yesterday in a case which three men, committed from Doncaster, were charged with burglary at his cottage at Hlckleton on the night  of August 11-12 and with stealing gold cigarette case, money and other articles of value of about £167.

The three men were Walter Bonas (30). hawker, Thurnscoe, Samuel Brice (30), labourer,no  fixed abode, and Roger Gillis (30), labourer, of Goldthorpe. They pleaded not guilty.

There was an alternative charge against the three men receiving the property, knowing to have been and against Bonas there was a further charge of assaulting P.C. Buxton in the execution of his duty.

The hearing was before Mr. G. Raymond Hinchliffe, K.C. and Mr. G W. Wrangham prosecuted.

Bonas was represented by Mr. Henry Scott. Brice Mr. Ernest Ould, and Gillis by Mr. A. B. Boyle.

In evidence, Halifax said that on the night in question he was disturbed about 1.30 a.m by the switching on the light in his bedroom.

On going downstairs, he found that the front door was open and that a window of the living-room had been broken. There were footmarks in a flower-bed, and drawers in a desk had been rifled.

P.C. Buxton said that shortly after midnight on August 13 he called with an inspector at 40. King Street, Thurnscoe. Buxton alleged that Bonas struck out violently with his right fist and was afterwards overpowered and forcibly dressed.

Bonas in evidence, denied that he was Hickleton on the night in question, or that he had broken into the cottage and stolen property. He alleged that when P.C. Buxton came to his house he lashed out at him and said: “I will teach you talk to my inspector like that.” Bonas alleged he was knocked unconscious.

Glllis said in evidence that the time question he was his home playing cards with his wife and sister-in-law. The hearing was adjourned until to-day.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer – Wednesday 08 October 1947

Sentences for Robbing Lord Halifax

At Wakefield Quarter Sessions yesterday Walter Bonas (30), hawker. Thurnscoe. and Samuel Brice (30). labourer, no fixed address, were each sentenced to three years’ penal servitude on a charge a gold cigarette case and other articles valued at £167 from Lord Halifax’s cottage at Hlckleton.

Roger GiUls (30), labourer, Goldthorpe, was found not guilty of stealing, not guilty of receiving, and was discharged.

Bonas was found not guilty assaulting Police Constable Buxton,

Gillis’s wile and sister-in-law said Gillls was at home playing cards until about 1 a.m. on the night In question and then went to bed.