Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 05 August 1919
Miner’s Attack on Sergeant.
A Cadeby miner named James Flannagan(30), whose home at Denaby, was charged at Rotherham West Riding Court yesterday with drunkenness and disorderly conduct, assault on the police, and wilful damage.
Superintendent Haynes said the offences were committed at Maltby. About ten o’clock on Friday night Sergeant Blacker was duty at the Rotherham end of Maltby when information was conveyed to him that there was a madman breaking windows on the Tickhill road near the police station. The sergeant cycled to the place, where a large crowd had collected.
The defendant, who was without coat and vest, struck the officer on the eye, and in the struggle which ensued also kicked him over the same eye. The injuries had to be dressed by doctor, who found it necessary to put in two stitches. An artery was out and a good deal of blood was lost. A constable assisted the sergeant getting the defendant to the police station.
Defendant said he was sorry and he did not know how it happened. He had been without food and had had some drink. The sergeant had been off duty as a result of the assault.
Miss Verney, general dealer, of Tickhill Road, Maltby said that she heard a disturbance in front of her shop. There was a crash of breaking glass, and she found that a window, value 50s., had been damaged. She saw the defendant, who was mad drunk. He said. “Come, come, the shop is open, you can all help yourselves.” She sent for the police, and Sergeant Blacker came and took him away. She produced the brick which had been thrown through the window.
The Chairman (Mr. C. Wright) said it was no excuse for defendant to say he was drunk. He would be sent to prison for two months for the drunkenness and assault, and there would another month’s imprisonment for the wilful damage, the amount of which (50s.) he would have also to pay.