Alleged Threatening with a Gun

October 1896

Mexborough and Swinton Times October 2, 1896

Alleged Threatening with a Gun

Edmund Machin, miner, was charged with using threats to Jacob Crooks, at Conisborough, in September 19.

The complainant stated that the defendant met him on the road and began to insult him. Witness wished to avoid him, and went in the direction of his own home, when the defendant brought out a gun, put it to his shoulder, and aimed at witness.

The defendant’s wife rushed up behind him and said “for God’s sake, don’t shoot,” and the defendant then put the gun down. The defendant had previously tried to incite him to fight, and defendant’s wife had also made use of threatening language to witness.

The Chairman: Was the gun loaded?

Witness: I don’t know.

Defendant: It was not, sir.

Defendant said he got the gun out in self defence, because the complainant was interfering with him, and had threatened what he would do to him.

The case was dismissed.