Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 28 May 1889
Rotherham West Riding Police Court
Cruelty to a Pony at Denaby.
William Plant, pony driver, was summoned for cruelty to a pony named Charlie, at Denaby pit, on May 16th.
Mr. Hickmott prosecuted, and explained that the defendant and a boy named Arthur Cockles, changed ponies during the shift. Defendant had charge of a pony named “Punch,” and Cockles had charge of ” Charlie.” When they had changed,” Charlie ” got loose, and ran into a pas-bye, and the defendant followed and kicked it under the jaw. “Charlie” was hurt to such an extent that it could not eat or drink for some time, its mouth was filled with blood, some of its teeth knocked out, and it had not been able to work since.
Cockles was kind to the pony, and he discovered the injuries when he went affectionately to “Charlie,” and held out his hand to be licked.
Defendant had already been fined a fortnight ago for three offences, for disobeying a hanger-on, defying the authorities, and inflicting severe injuries upon an official.
The defendant was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.