John Harding (Released)

John Harding was convicted of the manslaughter of William Gray 45.

John Harding and William Gray had been drinking at the Guildford Arms or Builders Arms at 20 Moreton Street, Pimlico on 19 November 1901 when John Harding said that he saw a man strike a woman. He said that he then aimed a blow at the man that had hit the woman but missed and hit William Gray who subsequently died from concussion.

William Gray had been a potman at the public house.

John Harding had been a porter at Victoria Mansions. He was described as a hard-working and sober working man.

It was heard that on the night of Saturday 19 October 1901 that John Harding and the other man had been in the Builders Arms when some 'words' were passed between a woman and some other people and that William Gray had told them that, 'if they wanted to quarrel they must go outside'. The woman was then struck by the other man.

John Harding then struck a blow but William Gray received it on the left side of his face and was later found in bed in an unconscious state. He was then removed to Westminster Hospital suffering from compression of the brain and although an operation was carried out, he died.

When John Harding was arrested he denied that he had attacked William Gray, stating that he had made the blow at the other man.

He was convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey on Wednesday 20 November 1901 and sentenced to one day imprisonment. The sentence was described as a nominal term of imprisonment and was tantamount to his immediate discharge.

The Guildford Arms was also referred to as the Builders Arms. The Builders Arms had been at 20 Moreton Street but has since been pulled down.