JOHN GOSS, EXETER, 1845.

The Rxeter and Plymouth Gazette of 22nd February 1845 reports how one....

"John Goss was charged with an assault upon his wife, and attempting to throw her into the water. 

"It appeared that the parties had for several days had disputes, and that about half-past 11 last night, the woman left her house , when the husband followed her, and upon arriving at the Old Bridge, near the Shilhay, caught her up in his arms and endeavoured to throw her over the bridge. 

"Her screams fortunately called the Police to her assistance in time to save her.

"The Court fined him 40s. and the expenses for the assault, and in default of payment ordered him to be imprisoned one month." 

The Old Bridge near the Shilhay in Exeter must mean the mediaeval bridge, some of which still exists,  which was largely demolished before 1845 but this story indicates that some of it still stretched out over waters of the Exe.   

The Shilhay is the southernmost part of Exe Island and itself a virtual island.  It was the industrial hub of Exeter and had been the centre of the woollen trade but by1845 its mills and warehouses were home to  brick-makers, timber-merchants, stone-and-slate merchants, &c,.

These days, surely, magistrates could hardly overlook what would seem to be attempted murder and a fine seems a somewhat inappropriate punishment for trying to throw your wife over a bridge.

Those busy policemen seem to have been there whenever they were needed.  Of course it can't have been quite like that.