Stamford Mercury 21 Jan 1848: John Spencer robbed
Daring Highway Robberies. — On Saturday evening last, a most daring robbery was committed in the vicinity of Cambridge, at the very early time of a quarter before six o’clock. As Mr. John Spencer was proceeding to his farmhouse on the Hills-road, when a short distance beyond the railway bridge, he was accosted by a man who enquired what hour it was: an answer was given, and then the fellow stepped in front of and faced him upon the footpath. Mr. Spencer, suspecting his movements, said, “Come, I’m not going to be robbed,” and passed the man, who then turned round, jumped upon his back, and tried to pinion his arms: in the struggle, Mr. Spencer lost his footing, and slipped into the ditch. A second fellow then came up, threw himself upon the chest of Mr. Spencer, and forced his fist violently against his windpipe, with the intimation that if he made the slightest alarm he would cut his throat. They proceeded to ransack his pockets, securing a silver watch, a sovereign, some silver, and two bankers’ receipts (one for £228 and the other for £20). The thieves then decamped, one towards Trumpington, the other towards Cherryhinton. Mr. Spencer would have no difficulty in identifying one of the men.