GRO0431 – The Pinsent Family

Leicester Daily Post: Thursday 17th July 1913

Stoneygate Shooting Affair: Pinsent’s Body and Home Secretary’s Order: A Case at the Police Court: John Arthur Pinsent, licensed victualler, King’s Head, Burley’s Lane, was summoned, at the Borough Police Court, yesterday, for selling intoxicating liquor during prohibited hours (11.7 pm on July 4); and John Wm. Hold (31), fish salesman, 65 ½ Burley’s lane was summoned for being on the premises. Mr. Harding prosecuted and said three persons entered the house after eleven o’clock on the day in question. Apparently, it was a significant fact that those people should go to the house after closing time and expected to be served. Inspector North said taking into consideration the position of the house and the class of customers, the premises were well conducted. Mr. Evan Barlow, who appeared for the defense, said for three years a policeman had stood outside the house after eleven o’clock at night, and never before had complaints been received. The defendant was the father of the young man who shot at his sweetheart and then committed suicide at Stoneygate some time ago. The Chairman (Sir W. W. Vincent): Has this anything to do with the case? Mr. Barlow said it had. The young man, unfortunately, was buried in a common grave. After a lot of trouble an order was received from the Home Secretary granting permission for the body to be removed to another grave. Arrangements were made for the body to be removed on July 5^th. On the night of the offence of keeping the house open during the prohibited hours the defendant was very slack owing to the fact that they were discussing arrangement for the re-interment. Pinsent was fined 40s and costs. The Chairman stated that he did not think that in future the magistrates would take a serious view of the case. Holt, who said he did not think it was after eleven o’clock when he went to the public house, was fined 10s and costs. …

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive

Referenced

GRO0431 Tiverton: Horace Pinsent: 1893 – 1913
GRO0515 Tiverton: John Arthur Pinsent: 1869 – 1930

Illustrated Police News: Thursday 1st May 1913

Grim Leicester Crime: Young Man Kills Himself after Attempting to Murder his Sweetheart: [Subject of Illustration.] A sensational tragedy took place in Leicester last week, as the result of which one man is lying dead, and another is in the Leicester Royal Infirmary in critical condition. It appears that about ten o’clock a young man named Horace Pinsent, aged nineteen, who lived with his parents at the King’s Head public-house, Burley’s-lane, was walking with a girl about his own age, or slightly older, on the London-road, near to Knighton Grange Road. The girl’s name is Ada White, and she lives in Bedford-street. They had quarrel about something, and it is stated that the girl expressed her Intention of not walking out with him anymore. Anyhow, the results were startling. Without any warning of his intention, Pinsent pulled a revolver out of his pocket and fired point blank at the girl from a distance of only about a yard. It is a marvelous thing that she was not killed; as it was, the bullet grazed her cheek, and passed through her hat. She screamed, and that, and the noise of the shot, attracted the attention of people in the vicinity, of whom there were quite a number. What next happened was regrettable in the extreme. Mr. Herbert Hytch, tailor, aged about twenty-two, who lives with his parents at 45, Wood-hill, who was riding a bicycle, got off but before he could do anything Pinsent shot at him, and the bullet struck him in the neck, inflicting a serious wound. Two more shots followed in rapid succession, fortunately without hitting anyone else, and then Pinsent ran off in the direction of the town. He was followed, and when near Toller-road, apparently realising the madness of his action, he turned the revolver on himself, and with the last cartridge he shot himself through the head, placing the barrel in his mouth. Death must have been instantaneous, he was found within a very few seconds of the shot, his body lying in Toller Road with the head against the kerbstone. Meanwhile, Mr. J. E. Lester, who was driving his motorcar along the road close to where the shooting began, and saw that Mr. Hytch was severely injured — for he was lying where he had fallen, in a pool blood ascertained that Dr. Gibbons, Knighton Grange-road, was the nearest doctor, and ran towards his house to summon him. Dr. Gibbons, however, had heard the shots, and met Mr. Lester on the way. Hurrying to the spot, he saw at once that Mr. Hytch’a injuries could not be dealt with in his surgery, and the wounded man was lifted into Mr. Lester’s car, and with Dr. Gibbons accompanying him, was driven to the Infirmary. Mrs. Gibbons, at Mr. Lester’s request, rang up Knighton police station, and informed the police, and Superintendent Sturgess and other officers were soon on the spot, while Mr. Lester, after leaving the patient at the infirmary, drove to the Central police-station and gave information. Mr. Herbert Allen (Chief Constable), and Superintendent Carson were both in the building, and Mr. Lester drove them up to the scene of the tragedy, passing, en route, by the way, Pinsent’s dead body, then lying in Toller-road. The girl, who was naturally in a very distressed condition, had been taken into a house nearby till she recovered, and then she was driven down to Central Police Station to give any information she had about the matter. The body of Pinsent was removed to the mortuary in the Fire Brigade body van, and there, shortly before midnight, it was identified by his father and brother. The revolver which the dead man used was of a fairly heavy pattern, and had been loaded in five chambers, all of which were discharged. The shots at the girl and Mr. Hytch would account for two of the cartridges, and probably the other shots fired numbered two, although accounts differ as to whether it was two three. This would leave the cartridge with which he committed suicide. The weapon was found lying near to the body. Mr. Lester, speaking to a “Leicester Daily Post” representative said the thing all happened in a few seconds. He was just driving by the couple on London Road when he heard the first shot. He stopped the car and turned around, and the girl came running and screaming towards him to get into the car and get away from the man. While she was screaming Mr. Hyteh came up on his bicycle and just had got off, and as he was holding it in front of him Pinsent shot at him, and he fell. Then the revolver was fired again either twice or three times, and Pinsent ran away. The next thing was to get the doctor and having got him, to take the injured man down to the Infirmary. At the inquest the coroner said Pinsent was jealous of the girl, and letters in the deceased’s writing showed that he contemplated taking his own life and that of the girl. Mr. Hytch, who was unknown to the parties, is progressing favourably. The Jury found that Pinsent killed himself, and that there was insufficient evidence to show the state of his mind.

Referenced

GRO0431 Tiverton: Horace Pinsent: 1893 – 1913

Hinckley Echo: Wednesday 30th April 1913

Child Injured: Knocked Down by Motorcycle: A child named Leslie Haywood (4), whose parents live at Court L, Grange-lane, was watching the funeral procession of Horace Pinsent (who shot himself on Wednesday night) as it was proceeding along the Welford Road on Monday afternoon, when he was knocked down by a motor-cycle ridden by Arthur Gamble, manager to Messrs. Ellis and Sons. The child sustained a nasty cut on the forehead and was taken to the Royal Infirmary.

Referenced

GRO0431 Tiverton: Horace Pinsent: 1893 – 1913

Melton Mowbray Mercury and Oakham and Uppingham News: Thursday 1st May 1913

Tragedy of Jealousy: The Shooting on the London Road: Inquest on Pinsent: Contemplated Murder and Suicide: Extraordinary Letter: The inquest on Horace Pinsent, the young man who on Wednesday night shot at his sweetheart, Ada Smith, and, on a young man named Hytch going to her assistance, also shot him in the neck, and afterwards committed suicide, was held at the Town Hall on Friday evening.

The Coroner’s Statement: The coroner (Mr. E. G. B. Fowler), in opening the inquiry, said: The deceased is Horace Pinsent, 19 years of age, a pattern-maker’s apprentice, who lived at 66, Burley’s-lane, Leicester. He had been keeping company with a girl of the name of Ada Smith, for the past six months. It appears he had become very jealous of her; probably there may have been some ground for his jealousy. On Tuesday evening he had some words with her, and then said something about shooting himself and her too. On Wednesday he also had some further words with her, and again he said that he should shoot himself, and that he should do her in as well. In spite of that, about 7.35 on Wednesday night, the girl went to his house for him, and they went out together. They first went to the Magazine Hotel, and from there they walked up the London-road to the tram terminus. At the tram terminus they turned back in the direction of Leicester. After walking for a few minutes, the deceased put his arm round the girl’s neck, and then drew a revolver from inside his waistcoat, and pointing it at the girl, fired at her. Fortunately, the shot only grazed her face, and went through the brim of her hat. She ran away at once towards a man who was on a bicycle. Then the deceased fired again, and the man on the bicycle was hit, and fell to the ground. The deceased then seems to have fired two more shots at random rather, and then to have gone off in the direction of the town. After going some distance, and reaching somewhere about Toller Road, he appears to have turned the revolver on himself, and to have used the remaining shot in taking his own life. He must apparently have put the revolver into his mouth and killed himself at once. On him was found a letter, and a letter written by him was found in his chest at the place of business where he worked. These letters show that the deceased deliberately contemplated taking his own life and that of the girl. With regard to Mr. Hytch, he was most unfortunate to have been shot in this way. He had nothing whatever to do with the parties, but simply stopped because he heard a shot fired. The coroner added that he was glad to say Mr. Hytch was going on very well, and hoped he would recover from this injury: Evidence was then called: … Dr. J. W. Patrick … … The next witness was the deceased’s father John Arthur Pinsent, a licensed victualler, of 66 Burley’s Lane, who said his son had been keeping company with Ada Smith during the past six months. They had had a few tiffs occasionally, but more just lately. On Wednesday, about 7.50 p.m., his son received some money from him in order to purchase an insurance stamp, and he then went out with Ada Smith. The coroner: Was he in good health and spirits? Witness: He came to me in a very sly way. He was always so bold, but this time it was different. I did not think much about it at the time, but now I can see that he was not absolutely himself. Continuing, the witness said he was informed of his son’s death at about 11 p.m. on Wednesday. The revolver produced was the witness’s property. He had had it for between 14 and 15 years, and it was kept in an unlocked drawer in his bedroom. His son was practically a teetotaller. The coroner: Did you object to his keeping company with this girl? Witness: Strongly: You thought the girl was not straight? Yes Sir: No other reason? I did not think she was a fit company for my lad. The Chief Constable: Although you objected to her, you allowed her to come to your house regularly? Witness: Yes, I knew he took the girl out, but thought he would give her up. I thought he would give her a good hiding and that would be the end of it. He never went after her; she came after him. By a Juror: Deceased had said to him “Look here, dad, you hear these things about her, and you cannot get anyone to prove them.” In answer to further questions, the witness said: “I know he was falling out with her. I thought he would thrash her. I never thought that anything like this would happen.” Letter found on Deceased: the coroner handed to witness a couple of letters which he identified as being in his son’s handwriting. The coroner: This letter was found on the deceased, and it is addressed to “My Parents” It says: “April 1913: this is to wish everybody goodbye! Hope this letter is read, that it will be a lesson to young people to be careful how they get courting, as I was taken in. Ada and I have been together six months now, and I thought that she was true to me, but I found out just lately that she told me some of the biggest lies she would think of. I helped her out of many difficulties. Anybody that knows me well, and knows any harm about me, please let them give their report to the police. Ada used to say that if I fell out with her that she would see that nobody else would have me, so I have taken the same pattern. When I left her on Thursday night, she told me that if I fell out with her, she would go the wrong road, which I think is the best for us both to part together. I hope nobody will trouble me. The money that I have I want Ernest’s children to have between them, as I love them. Do not mention my name no more than possible. Forget me as soon as you can. Dad told me it would end like this if I was not careful. I do not think I can say any more now, as I should want a little book: With love to all and sorry to upset anyone. Signed, Horace Pinsent, 66 Burley’s Lane: My sister had just told me ‘I shall be sorry I did not show anybody this’. She did not know that it contained this news:” The following letter was found in a box at the place where deceased worked: “Dear Tom Gamble, If I happen to do the thing I have on my mind, will be kind enough to pack all my tools up and send them to my father; also, the box and tools at your house.” Ada Smith’ Story: Ada Smith, a printer’s bronzer, of 155 Bedford Street, said she had known the deceased since November of last year, and since then she had been keeping company with him. They had always been on the best of terms until just lately. The coroner: What has altered it just lately? Witness: I only said to him, “My position is not as good as yours; why don’t you get someone else?”. Proceeding, the witness stated that on Tuesday she told the deceased that her position was not as good as his, and he replied that if he did not have her neither would anyone else – “I will shoot you as well as myself,” he added. The coroner: Why did you say you were not in a position like he was? Witness: Because I could not find the clothes to match him. “We shook hands and parted quite friendly,” added the witness. She saw him again about 12.50 p.m. the next day (Wednesday) in Bedford Street. He then told her that he had not slept all night and that he had procured his father’s revolver and had pointed it at himself. He said that he intended shooting himself during the night, but that he changed his mind, adding, “I will shoot you and then myself.” The coroner: What did you say to that? Witness: I said, “Don’t talk silly! Think about your friends, what will they say?” He said, “It doesn’t not matter about them so long as I know where you are,” He asked me to see him at 7.30 and I said, “No, if you talk like that I daren’t.” He said he was not going to work that afternoon. I told him not to be silly, and he said: “Will you come then? If you don’t come it will be the worse for you.” Witness’s Narrow Escape: Witness agreed to see him that evening, and she went to his home around 7.30. Afterwards, they went to the Magazine Hotel, in order to pay some club money. They each had a port wine. Afterwards, they walked to the London Road tram terminus and when they arrived there, the deceased wanted them to proceed. She refused, however, and they turned back. A few minutes later the deceased turned pale and commenced biting his lips. She said, “What’s your game?” and the deceased put his hand in his waistcoat and pulled something out. She ran away, but he caught her up. And put his arm around her neck. A shot was then fired. Witness ran to a man who was passing along the London Road on a bicycle and said: “Please help me; my young man is going to shoot me!” Other shots were fired, and the man with the bicycle fell to the ground. Witness ran to a motor car, and afterwards she was taken into a house nearby. Later she went to the Police Station. “Was your hat hit by the bullet?” asked the coroner: Witness: Yes: Is that the hat you are wearing? – Yes: Inspector Sturgess pointed out the hole in the brim of the hat. The coroner: You say he was very fond of you? Witness: He always said he was. And I think he has given you presents of clothing and other things: Yes Sir, He was jealous of you? Yes: Asked why the deceased was jealous, the witness said that on Monday she went to the Eight Bells in Bedford Street, and he there saw a man talking to her. She would not have gone to the public house had there been anyone at home when she went for her dinner. She went to the Eight Bells to find the women, who she expected would be at home. Deceased had not found her in the Eight Bells previously. He had not complained to her that she had been going with other young men. She had not been walking out with other young men since she knew the deceased. Before she went out with him, she had walked out with another young man, but not since. That young man did not give her up; she gave him up. She had not seen the man before who spoke to her in the Eight Bells. The coroner: Was he standing you a drink? No Sir, the woman I was lodging with:

The Alleged Threats: … … (continues) … …

The Verdict: The coroner, in reviewing the evidence, said it clearly established the fact that the deceased not only took his own life, but attempted to take the life of the girl Smith. The letters found on him proved that he went out with the deliberate intention of killing Smith and himself. The only reason that could be assigned for the deceased’s conduct was jealousy. Whatever grounds he had for this, he was not, of course, justified in taking his own life and attempting to take the life of the girl. If the jury were satisfied that the deceased was of sound mind, then they would return a verdict of felo de se. The jury found that the deceased killed himself, but that there was not sufficient evidence to show the state of his mind.

Referenced

GRO0431 Tiverton: Horace Pinsent: 1893 – 1913

Leicester Evening Mail: Tuesday 29th April 1913

Funeral of Horace Pinsent: The funeral of the young man Horace Pinsent, who shot himself in the Stoneygate Tragedy took place yesterday at the Welford Road Cemetery. At the Clock Tower, hundreds of People had assembled to watch the funeral procession. It was preceded by a number of the deceased’s friends, and then followed two hearses, the first being almost covered with beautiful floral tributes. The relatives were the chief mourners.

Referenced

GRO0431 Tiverton: Horace Pinsent: 1893 – 1913

Weekly Dispatch: Sunday 27th April 1913

Tragedy of Rejected Love: After a quarrel with his sweetheart. Horace Pinsent, an engineer’s apprentice. of Leicester, fired a revolver at the girl Ada Smith, shot a cyclist named Herbert Hytch who came to the rescue, and then shot himself dead. Pinsent had been “keeping company” with the girl for about six months, and on the night of the tragedy they were out together for a walk. About ten o’clock they were returning home along London-road, when—so the girl told the police–she remarked to Pinsent that she thought it would be better if they parted. The young man became very excited on hearing this and drew the revolver from his pocket and fired at the girl from a distance of a yard or two. Fortunately, the bullet only grazed her cheek. Her screams and report of the weapon attracted the attention of Mr. Herbert Hytch, who was cycling along the road, jumped off his machine and ran towards Pinsent, who promptly fired at him also. The bullet inflicted a serious wound in the neck. Pinsent fired two more shots, but without hitting anyone and then ran away, followed by several people from neighbouring houses, but before they could reach him, he turned the weapon on himself and blew his brains out. Hytch was taken to the infirmary in a critical condition. [Photograph of Horace Pinsent]

Referenced

GRO0431 Tiverton: Horace Pinsent: 1893 – 1913

Reynolds’s Newspaper: Sunday 27th April 1913

Photograph of Horace Pinsent: AMAZING SCENE. A sensational tragedy took place in Leicester, as the result of which one man is lying dead and another is at the Leicester Royal Infirmary in a critical condition. It appears that a young man named Horace Pinsent, aged 19, who lived with his parents at the King’s Head public house, was walking with a girl named Ada White on the London Road. They had a quarrel about something, and it is stated that the girl expressed her intention of not walking out with him anymore. Without any warning of his intention: Pinsent pulled a revolver out of his pocket and fired point-blank at the girl from a distance of only about a yard or so. It is a marvelous thing that she was not killed; as it was, the bullet grazed her cheek, and passed through her hat. She screamed, and that, and the noise of the shot, attracted the attention of people in the vicinity, of whom there were quite a number. Mr. Herbert Hytch, a tailor, who was riding by on a bicycle, got off, but before he could do anything Pinsent shot at him, and the bullet struck him in the neck, inflicting a serious wound. Two more shots followed in rapid succession fortunately without hitting anyone else, and then Pinsent ran off in the direction of the town. He was followed, and when near Toller Road he turned the revolver on himself, and with the last cartridge in it shot himself through the head, placing the barrel in his mouth. Death must have been instantaneous as he was found within a very few seconds of the shot, his body lying with the bead against the kerbstone. Mr. Lester, who took Mr. Hytch to the Infirmary in his motorcar, said the thing all happened in a few seconds. He was just driving by the couple on London Road when he heard the first shot. He stopped the car and turned around, and the girl came running and screaming towards him to get into the car and get away from the man. While she was screaming, Mr. Hytch came up on his bicycle, and just as he had got off, and as he was holding it in front of him Pinsent shot at him, and he fell. Then the revolver was fired again, either twice or three times and Pinsent ran away. The next thing was to get the doctor, and having got him, to take the injured man down to the infirmary.

Referenced

GRO0431 Tiverton: Horace Pinsent: 1893 – 1913

Leicester Daily Post: Saturday 26th April 1913

The Condition of Hytch: On inquiry at the Royal Infirmary, yesterday, we were informed that Mr. Hytch, who was shot by Pinsent on Wednesday, is “going on very nicely.” …

Referenced

GRO0431 Tiverton: Horace Pinsent: 1893 – 1913

Leicester Daily Post: Saturday 26th April 1913

Tragedy of Jealousy: The Shooting on the London Road: Inquest on Pinsent: Contemplated Murder and Suicide: Extraordinary Letter: The inquest on Horace Pinsent, the young man who on Wednesday night shot at this sweetheart, Ada Smith, and, on a young man named Hytch going to her assistance, also shot him n the neck and afterwards committed suicide, was held at the Town Hall last evening. The Coroner’s Statement: … (detained description of the inquest – not copied) …

Referenced

GRO0431 Tiverton: Horace Pinsent: 1893 – 1913

Leicester Daily Post: Saturday 26th April 1913

At an inquest held at the Municipal Buildings last night, on Harold (sic) Pinsent, pattern-maker’s apprentice, who on Wednesday night shot his sweetheart Ada Smith, fired at and wounded a cyclist named Hytch, who went to the girl’s assistance, and then turned the pistol on himself. Letters were read in the deceased’s writing which showed he contemplated taking his own life and that of the girl. The jury found Pinsent killed himself, and the evidence was insufficient to the state of his mind.

Referenced

GRO0431 Tiverton: Horace Pinsent: 1893 – 1913