At the North Shiedls Police Court, this morning, James Brookbank, a private in the 22nd Regiment, stationed at Tynemouth, was charged with assaulting and robbing George Davidson, rollyman in the employment of the North-Eastern Railway Company, of a purse containing £2 in gold and six shillings in silver. The particulars of the case have already appeared in our columns. On Saturday night prisoner followed prosecutor out of a public-house, and when in Dotwick-street struck and knocked him down. He afterwards seized him by the throat, and nearly choked him. He then sat upon his knees, and robbed him. The magistrates committed him for trial at the next Assizes.
Shields Daily News 17th April 1868.