Denaby Gamblers in a Thunderstorm

Patrick, Thomas, and Henry McDermot, David Westwood, William Roper, Stephen and William Galvin were charged with having gamed at pitch and toss at Mexborough.

P.C. Truman deposed that on the morning of the 4th inst. he was secreted under a hedge near the canal, at the Boundary of Mexborough, when he watched the defendants gambling with coin from 11.50 to 12.10. He advanced towards them and they decamped. A thunderstorm then occurred and the majority of them hurried under a hedge while the witness sheltered in the lock-house until it was over. Afterwards he went towards the men and found they were gambling; witness knew the names of the defendants so had no trouble in that respect. Sergeant Ambler corroborated this evidence, as he was concealed in the lock-house.

Stephen and Peter Galvin denied being there.

William Jones, collier, Denaby, stated that on the 4th inst. he along with Peter Galvin and three others went for a bottle of ginger beer, and then went forward to the Alma Inn and waited till opening time, and then stopped in there till closing time.

Sergeant Ambler said that he was sure that both Peter and Stephen Galvin were there.

Stephen Galvin said he was in Mexborough at the time but had no witnesses to call.

Fined 10s. and 8s. costs each, or fourteen days’ imprisonment in default.