South Yorkshire Times, 3rd, January.
Younger Ripper Dies: Friend Charged with Manslaughter
Court Story Fight after Challenge
After visiting a local club on Christmas Eve with their wives, two young West Melton men had a fight after one had made a challenge. The fight resulted in the death of the challenge man, alleged chief superintendent George Woodcock, prosecuting at a special sitting in Rotherham West Riding Court last Friday.
Remanded in Custody
Peter Arnold Hill (23), driver salesman, Carnell estate, West Melton, was charged with the manslaughter early on Christmas day of Raymond Leslie Hobson (23), ripper, of Albert Road, West Melton. Hill was remanded in custody till January 2.
The chief superintendent said P.C.S. Fenton went Hobson’s home on Albert Road early on Christmas day morning after being informed that there was a disturbance there.
Hobson’s body was on the kitchen floor. His face was severely injured, and the doctor said he was dead.
Chief superintendent Woodcock added that enquiries revealed that Hill, Hobson and wives had visited a local club, and all four had gone back to Hobson’s home where, after an argument, Hill challenge Hobson to a fight. The fight took place in the backyard, it was alleged, Hill struck several blows on the face, and was seen astride his body on the ground. Hobson, it was alleged was carried unconscious to the house where he died before the arrival of a doctor. Seen by police, it was alleged, Hill said: “Oh no, oh no, please don’t say he is dead.”
Alleged remarks
Asked if he wished to say what had happened Hill replied: “I have done it now. We were fighting in the yard and I had him down, I lost my head, I fisted him in the face about a dozen times,” it was alleged.
The chief superintendent said a voluntary statement, made by Hill, would not be put forward for the moment.
A post mortem had revealed that the death was due to concussion of the brain. Cautioned and charged Hill said “it is all true what I have written down. There is nothing else I can say except I wish it had never happened.”
Native of Wath
Mr Raymond Leslie Hobson (23), of 52, Albert Road, West Melton, was a ripper at Wath Main colliery and was married with an eight month old daughter, Diana. A native of Wath, he lived with his parents at 39, Quarry Hill Rd until shortly before his marriage to Miss Minnie Peat, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Peat, of 32 York St, West Melton at Rotherham in August 1957.
His parents and sister Audrey and Mary, took up residence at 77 Kirkley Gardens, Lowestoft, in June of that year. A brother, Mr. Kenneth Hobson, aged 19, lives with Mr and Mrs. S. Smith at 25, Albert Road, and another sister, Miss S. Muriel speed, is in Cyprus with her husband who is serving in the Royal Air Force.