A POLICE witness statement dating back to the Victorian era has been discovered, detailing the events of an unexpected attack on a man in Halton View, Widnes.

The historical document features a statement from the victim describing the incident that took place back in 1878 on William Street, where the attacker hit the man around the head with a ‘smoothing iron’, knocking him out cold.

And the victim explains asking the man for ‘a light’ for his ‘pipe’ just before the attack unfolded.

The statement was discovered by Philip Gibson who found the piece of history among some of his late father’s possessions.

He said: “My great grandfather Joseph Gildert was a Policemen who lived in Birkenhead and was the investigating officer who brought this case to court on behalf of the Police.

“The court case was heard at Kirkdale Quarter Sessions, but the incident was at Halton View Widnes. A few of the statements are signed with an "X".”

The document shows distinct signs of its era with old English language used throughout and the unique Victorian handwriting visible.

Philip expressed a desire to donate the fascinating document to a Police Museum, saying: “I would be happy to donate it, it would be a shame to leave it in a drawer for another 144 years.”