Assaulting a Colliery Deputy

Yesterday at the Rotherham West Riding Police Court, before Messrs. H. Jubb (in the chair), G. W. Chambers, E. Robinson, J. Keavick, C. Wright, and Col. St. Leger, John Tracey, miner, Swinton Bridge, was charged with assaulting Charles Rodgers, an under-deputy, in the Denaby Main Colliery.

Mr. F. Parker Rhodes prosecuted, and Mr. Hirard (Messrs. Potter, Brown, and Co.) defended.

Complainant visited prisoner’s working place about half-past one o’clock on the morning of the 16th inst., when he was just stopping for “snap.” He visited the place again at three o’clock, and as prisoner had not resumed his work, he told him to make a move to get the “gate” cleared. Prisoner used some bad language to him, and when complainant told him that if he did not desist he would have to go out of the pit, the prisoner struck him on the jaw, knocking him against a pack wall, and cutting his head.

In defence it was urged that the circumstances of the assault had been greatly exaggerated. The magistrates, however, considered it a gross case, and said that a colliery company’s servants must be protected.

The prisoner would be fined 40s. and costs, or one month’s imprisonment in default.