Mexborough & Swinton Times, November 27th, 1891
Conisborough Assault Case
Joseph Thompson, alias ” Salty,” shoemaker, of Conisborough, was charged on a warrant with having assaulted Emma Morton, of that place on Tuesday week.
Emma Morton, wife of Joseph Morton, who lives in Church Street, Conisborough, said that on the afternoon in question her daughter Emily ran into her house and said that the prisoner was running after her. The prisoner followed immediately after, and witness seeing that he was drunk ordered him out.
He began making a disturbance and hit her with his fist, knocking her back against a table. He struck her on the right side of the face, but hearing her husband was coming ran away. She was in fear of her life, as he had molested her in that way often before.
Prisoner said that the whole of the evidence was false.
Emily Morton, daughter of the previous witness ‘ said that she was in Conisborough on that afternoon, and saw the prisoner, who was drunk. He began speaking to her, and upon her telling him she was not speaking to him he used very bad language and followed her into her mother’s house.
Prisoner denied the assault. He said he would scorn to strike a woman. It was a complete perjury affair altogether. He was as innocent as a new born child. (Laughter.) Sines his wife had died he had had the windows of his house smashed and doors broken, and it seemed as though folks had a grudge against him. (Laughter.)
The Chairman said there was a long list of previous convictions against the prisoner.
The prisoner remarked that he knew that, but he did not think that ought to “tell” against him. (Laughter). He complained about the police “keep fetching him up.” (Laughter.)
Fined 50s., including costs, one mouth in default. He went to prison.