The Times, Aug
05 1843
The Escape From Colchester Gaol-Richard Petchell
Text: Copyright 1843, The Times
THE ESCAPE FROM
COLCHESTER GAOL - Richard Petchell, one of the prisoners,
was re-captured on Wednesday night near Mount Bures in this county
by Richard Pearman (No23) of the Essex Constabulary. About 12
o`clock at night while the constable was on duty, he met a man
with a handkerchief tied around his head and without shoes and
finding that his dress in other respects corresponded with the
description, he spoke to him, when the man immediately started
off at a rapid rate: the policeman pursued him for some distance
along the road and across a field, when attempting to leap a fence,
he got entangled in the bushes and fell back into the ditch, where
he was seized by the policeman.
On pulling him out of the ditch the prisoner attempted to strike
him on the head with a large stone which he drew from his pocket;
but was prevented by a blow on the arm with the policeman's staff;
and after desperate scuffs, during which the prisoner declared
he would never be taken by one man, the latter threw him down
and succeeded in handcuffing him, when without further resistance
he was taken to the Lock-up at Mount Bures.
On searching him several large stones (with which the prisoner
seems to have contemplated defending himself if attacked) together
with a clasp knife and 9s 6d in silver were found in his pockets.
Yesterday (Thursday) morning he was brought to Colchester in the
custody of Pearman and again lodged in the borough gaol.
From the statement of the prisoner to the policeman after his
apprehension, it appears that he did not escape till nearly three
hours after Osborne, having a good deal of trouble after removing
the bars, in breaking away the swing window; a statement which
is somewhat borne out by the appearance of the window, a great
number of panes being broken and traces of blood left upon them,
while that in Osborne's cell seems to have been removed without
too much difficulty and without breaking a single pane of glass.
After leaving the town he appears to have gone in the direction
of Mile-End or West Bergholt where he states he secreted himself
in a field of wheat during the day and after dark to the road
to Bures, where as he already stated he was recognised and apprehended.
When taken his stockings where completely worn from his feet and
he appeared to be in a very pitiable plight. The prisoner Osborne
has not been heard:-ESSEX STANDARD.
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