John Crisp was already serving a life sentence for stealing four ducks and two turkeys when he was being escorted to the watch-house at Swanport by two constables. Within sight of the building, he drew a razor from his pocket and slashed the prosecutor, William Donohoo, across the face, a gash running from near his mouth almost to his left ear.
Crisp was tried and convicted of wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, and was hanged at Oatlands on this day in 1851. The second constable escorting him, a pensioner on his very first night of duty, resigned from the force the following day.
