Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 08 February 1913
Cruelty To Ponies
Prosecutions by the Denaby Main Colliery Co.
John Green, pony driver, Denaby Main, was summoned by the Denaby Main Colliery Co. for having injured a pony on Jan. 21st.
He pleaded guilty, and Mr. Allen, who prosecuted, said that special rules clearly laid it down that when the pony ran into the tubs they should hitch it on a drag out. In this case the defendant went in and asked for a 15 cwt. tub, and he was asked why he had not done so, and he explained that it had slipped out.
The manager of the pit was asked to look into the matter, and the defendant was fined 5s. and costs.
He was further charged with cruelty to a horse on Jan. 29th, in that he kicked and ill-used it. The officer said the pony was standing with its head in the tub, and was struggling. The defendant was suspected of doing it.
On being questioned he admitted kicking the animal on the jaw, but not on the leg. The fixed and next case followed.
Sidney Kettell, who did not appear, a pony driver, of Mexboro’, was summoned for cruelty to a pit pony at the Denaby pit on Jan. 21st.
It was alleged that it was struck and was also improperly used. The defendant was absent in court, but the case was proved in his absence, and as a result the defendant was fined 10s. and costs.
The officer said he saw the defendant with the pony under the stomach when he saw him, though he heard it groaning and in distress before he went there.
Asked why he did it, the defendant told witness that he had been acting under instructions. Mr. Lester, horse keeper, said that when the horse was returned its abdomen was badly swollen. Fined 10s. inclusive.
Alfred Ellis and Harry Turner, pony drivers, of Conisboro’, were summoned by the Denaby Main Colliery Company for damage to a window at Denaby on Jan. 20th.
Ellis said two defendants were playing football in the street and put the ball through the window of Mrs. Brown’s house, which was owned by the Colliery Co. Mrs. Brown said the defendants were asked to go away, but would not.
Mr. Spencer admitted the complaint, and said the value of the window was 2s. Defendants were ordered to pay the damage, and were each fined 2s. and costs.