Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 09 February 1894
The Alleged Serious Assault at Denaby
Prisoner Committed For Trial.
Bridget Manion, a middle aged woman, living at Denaby, was charged on remand with unlawfully wounding John Humphries, miner, of 5, Melton-street, Denaby.
Mr. Hickmott prosecuted, and Mr. Gichard defended.
Mr. Hickmott, in narrating the circumstances, stated that on the 22nd of January the prosecutor went into the Reresby Arms, Denaby. On entering the long room he saw the prisoner and two men. One of the men came up to him, and gave him a push, and was inclined to be quarrelsome. Prosecutor said, “Go away, I don’t want any bother.” The man then put his fist in his face. At this point the landlord’s son, Samuel Slater, seeing the likelihood of a disturbance advised the prosecutor to go into another room. He (prosecutor) got up, and was going towards the door when the prisoner deliberately hit him on the bead with a jug. He fell to the ground insensible, and it was not until the 24th of January that consciousness returned. Concussion of the brain followed, and the man’s condition was so serious that it was deemed able that a magistrate should take his deposition. This was accordingly done. The prosecutor was now fortunately out of danger, and was able to give his version of what had taken place. There was not the slightest provocation for the attack which the prisoner had made.
The prosecutor, whose head was swathed in surgical bandages and who looked very ill, gave evidence supporting his solicitor’s statement, He said that about six o’clock on the night of January 22nd he went into the long room at the Reresby Arms. He there saw the prisoner and two men. He was near the fire-place, and one of the men came and pushed him, and afterwards put his fist in his face. Witness aid, ” Go away, I don’t want to hare any row with you.”
The landlord’s sun who then came in, said ” They evidently want to quarrel with you, go into another room to get out of their way.” Witness went towards the door, and was going to walk out when the prisoner picked up a pint pot and struck him on the head. It broke the pot, and as he fell to the ground, she threw the handle, which remained in her hand, at him, striking him on the eye. He became unconscious, and remained so until Wednesday. He did nothing to provoke the blow.
Cross-examined, witness said he did not notice the presence of the prisoner and her companions until one of them started pushing him It was untrue that he asked the women to drink with him, or that he drank with her. He did not say : “Are you seeking Tom ? ” nor did he tell the prisoner that she ought to be ashamed of herself drinking with men. He did not take up a pint pot and threaten to split her head open, and he did not say. “If you were my wife I would make a football of you.” He never spoke to the prisoner at all. He knew the names of the men who were with her, one called Smith and the other Caley. Smith did not say, “if you touch the woman you will have to touch me,” nor did he say, ” You won’t touch her while I am here.’ It was untrue that he and Smith quarrelled. and had a struggle together, and he did not see Smith turned nut of the house by a waiter. He did not hit the woman on the forehead, nor afterwards on the neck. Witness was not in the habit of letting his tongue run too freely about other people’s business, and he did not go about boasting that he was a boxer. He had not got a reputation for being a fighting man.
Samuel Slater said he saw the prisoner strike Humphries on the head with the jug. The jug broke and the handle remained in her hand. She then threw the handle, hitting him in the eye with it. There had been no provocation
Prisoner was arrested by Police constable Midgley, and in answer to the charge, she said, ” Yes, I struck him, and I will do it again.”
Evidence was taken for the defence.
John Smith, miner, who lodged with the prisoner, deposed that he was in the public house. Prisoner and prosecutor drank with each other. There was some conversation. Witness heard the prosecutor threaten to strike her with a pint pot which he had in his hand. Witness then said, “I will not let you.” and went towards him. They got “haggling” and he (witness) was put out.
Michael Daley said that the prosecutor threatened the prisoner, and Smith said he would not let any man strike his landlady. (Laughter.) Smith and Humphries then got to words and the prosecutor went to hit Smith when the prisoner struck the blow with the jug. Prosecutor was going to hit her with the jug, and she took it up after he had put it down.
Prisoner was committed for trial, bail in two sureties of £10 and her own recognizance for a like amount being granted.