Damaging Skylights and Slates at Denaby

Prosecutions by the Colliery Company

A number of youths hailing from Denaby were summoned at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court on Saturday, at the instance of the Denaby Main Colliery Company.

Mr. W. Baddiley prosecuted in each case.

The magistrates on the Bench were Mr. G. B. C. Yarborough (presiding), Mr. L. T. Baines, Mr. G. A. Thompson, Mr. W. J. Huntiss, Mr. J. C. Coulman, and Ald. Chadwick.

In the first case Edward Jones and Richard Jones, youths, were summoned for damaging slates at Denaby on the 12th July.

Mr. Baddiley said in consequence of the great amount of damage done by youths by throwing stones, the company had been compelled to take proceedings.

It appeared that on the 12th July (Sunday) the two defendants were seen throwing stones onto the roof of the new schools.

The caretaker of the schools went after the lads, but they ran away; he afterwards ascertained their names.

A great amount of damage was done by reason of youths throwing stones onto the roof, and it was a very costly thing to keep having workmen on the roof to execute the repairs.

Thomas Dabbs, the caretaker, gave evidence that he saw the two defendants throwing stones onto the roof about 8.30 p.m. on the date in question.

They broke six or seven slates.

Harold Lawton Smethurst, architect and surveyor to the company, estimated the damage done at 3s. 6d.

The defendants were ordered to pay the costs, 8s. 6d., and half the damage, 1s. 9d. each.

In the next case Edwin Hardyman, a boy, was summoned for damaging skylights at Denaby on July 12th.

Mr. Baddiley stated that the damage amounted to 20s.

It was worse than the previous case, because the defendant not only gave a wrong name and address, but behaved in a most violent manner when caught by the caretaker.

He kicked him on the shins, and afterwards threw stones at him.

Evidence was called to this effect.

Mr. Smethurst estimated the damage at 20s., two skylights being broken.

The defendant was ordered to pay the costs, 8s. 6d., and the damage, 20s.

In the third case Arthur Whitlam, Walter Palmer, and Edgar Hammond, all youths of Denaby, were also summoned for breaking skylights at Denaby on July 5th.

Mr. Baddiley said the skylights were broken at the Rossington Street Schools.

The boys broke one skylight, three panes of glass, and some slates.

The caretaker gave evidence, and the damage was estimated by Mr. Smethurst at 10s. 6d.—5s. the skylight, 3s. the glass, and 2s. 6d. the slates.

Whitlam and Palmer were each ordered to pay 8s. 6d. costs and 3s. 6d. damage; and Hammond 2s. 6d., 8s. 6d. costs, and 3s. 6d. damage.

Mr. Baddiley also applied for ejectment orders in respect to John Bell, 10, Annerley Street, and George Foster, Doncaster Road.

The usual orders were made in each case.