100 YEARS AGO: A SAVAGE ATTACK ON SALFORD POLICEMEN BY DESPERATE BICYCLE THIEF

Time for another look into the pages of The Salford City Reporter and see what was happening on the mean streets of Salford in April 1922, the dust is settling and I can bring you the following story of theft, violence and bad language...

Harry Johnstone who was residing at White Street, Hulme appeared at Salford Magistrates Court charged with theft of a bicycle and police assault.

Inspector Mitchell told the Court that Johnstone had been locked up on suspicion of being in possession of a bicycle, believed to have been stolen, although it had since been ascertained that the bicycle had been stolen in Manchester, it was not proposed to proceed with that charge, but to confine the hearing to that of the assault.

Inspector Hulmes said that as a consequence of a telephone message being received at the Pendleton Police Office, giving the description of a man who was riding a bicycle towards Pendleton on Broad Street, he stepped in to the road and put his hands up telling the man to stop.

However the man then turned into Hankinson Street and tried to cycle away, he was eventually stopped and told the Inspector that he was the owner of the bicycle, he was told that he would be detained for further questioning, Johnstone then punched the Inspector in an effort to escape and both men fell on the floor.

Inspector Hulmes blew his whistle for police assistance and P.C.Calbo was first on the scene and attempted to put the "snips" (handcuffs) on him, Johnstone got hold of his hand and tried to bite his thumb and first finger off, happily for him Inspector Hulmes throttled the man until he released his jaws from the Constables hand

Constable Calbo said that the accused "kicked and fought like a madman" adding that he fought and struggled violently all the way to the station, where he no doubt received a warm welcome.

In his defence, Johnstone admitted assaulting the officers but said that he had only been released from Strangeways Gaol that morning after serving four months for larceny.

Unimpressed by his honesty, the Chairman of the Bench said that members of the police force must be protected from such ferocious attacks and sent him to gaol for six months with hard labour.

Would appear that Harry Johnstone hadn't learnt his lesson and would be back in his old cell a lot quicker than he had wanted.

Photo: Hankinson Street, Pendleton