South Yorkshire Times, January 13, 1951

West Melton Remand

If she had not begged me to let her go, I should have done her in,” was the reply alleged at Rotherham West Riding Magistrates’ Court on Monday to have been made by a West Melton man, who, it was said, walked into Wath Police Station to “give himself up” and was charged with the attempted nnirder of a Swinton woman.

James Hirst (38) miner, of 4, Garden Street. West Melton. was charged with attempting to murder May James (46). of 4, Charles Street. Swinton. He was remanded in custody until Monday.

Chief Inspector E. Smith (prosecuting) said that at 7.10 p.m. on Tuesday a message was received at Wath Police Station that a woman had complained of a man having attempted to strangle her.

At 9 p.m. the same day the accused walked into Wath Police Station and said to a policeman on duty. “I give myself up — I have tried to do a woman in.”

He was later charged with attempted murder, and it was alleged that he replied. “If she had not begged me to let her go I should have done her in”

Hirst, in Court, replied “Yes” after the charge had been read, and said he had no objection to being remanded in custody.