Mexborough & Swinton Times — Friday 01 May 1903
Assault on a Denaby Worker.
Tom Gough, bookmaker, Conisbro’, was the defendant in three summonses, the first charging him with drunken and disorderly conduct, the second using abusive language, while the third was a charge preferred by Henry Smith, the summons being one of assault upon complainant. The whole of the offences having been committed on April 20th.—Mr. Gichard appeared to prosecute, and in detailing the facts said that between 10.30 and eleven p.m. on the date in question defendant was near his own house, being then in a very drunken condition, and acting in a most disorderly manner. He was also making use of abusive language. Just at that moment some men were returning home from work at the Cadeby Main, and the defendant appeared to have made an attempt to assault some of them, and actually succeeded in his purpose.
A man named Howison made a complaint to a police officer named Slack, who was stationed in the neighbourhood, and the latter at once went to the place where he was told the assault had been committed. When he got there he found that another man had also been assaulted, and, in consequence of the description given of the assailant to Slack by the second man, Slack went to the house where the defendant resided, and he discovered, as had previously been told him, that the defendant was behind some outbuildings. Shortly afterwards the defendant came into the yard, and went into the house, when the officer went and secreted himself behind the outbuildings. Almost immediately afterwards the defendant returned into the yard, and, thinking the course was clear, began throwing his arms about, and seemed to be on the look out for more persons whom he might assault.
The police officer, Slack, would tell them that when he saw the defendant the latter had on neither coat nor cap, and was in a drunken condition, and had evidently made up his mind to cause some trouble if he could to persons who were proceeding along the road. Witnesses were called in support of this statement, the complainant stating that he resided in Clifton Street, Denaby. On the date in question the defendant struck him a violent blow, the result being that he was knocked on to his back. At that time the defendant was in his shirt-sleeves. Evidence was also given by James Brocklehurst and Sergt. Slack.
Defendant, who did not appear, was ordered to pay the costs on the charge of using obscene language; for the drunken and disorderly conduct and the assault, he was committed to Wakefield for two calendar months on each charge, the terms to run concurrently.