Hereford labourer sentenced for assault following River Wye near-drowning

In November 1877, John Mills, a 37-year-old labourer, appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of his partner, Mary Ann Jones, following a near-drowning incident in the River Wye in Hereford.

The court heard that Mills and Jones had been living together in Hereford's Blue School Street. During a quarrel near the Old Bridge, Jones jumped into the river and struggled in the water. Witnesses, including rescuers in a nearby boat, testified that Mills appeared to enjoy watching her drown and made attempts to overturn the rescue boat with his feet while using abusive language.

While Mills' defense argued he could not swim and had merely spoken inadvisedly, the jury acquitted him of attempted murder. However, he was found guilty of common assault and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment.