Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 2 September 1881
More Wilful Damage at Conisboro’
Robt. Catton, Geo. Cutts, Thos. Johnson, and Jos. Johnson, all colliers, of Kilnhurst; Thomas Powell, stonemason, of Mexboro’; and Shadrach Gater, labourer, of Mexboro’, were charged by William Appleyard, farmer, of Conisboro’, with doing damage to growing grass.
The complainant stated that he caught the defendants in his fields after mushrooms. He chased them and in their endeavour to escape some of them broke down his hedges and ran amongst his corn. One of them laid down in the corn, and he had to use his stick to his hinder parts to make him get up.
He estimated the damage at 5s. a piece.
Lord Auckland said the bench considered the complainant had made too high an estimate as to the damage, especially as he had done a great deal of it himself “in the chase.”
The complainant said he did not reckon for what damage he might have done, as he could do what he liked on his own fields. (Laughter.)
Catton was fined 15s. 6d.; Cutts, 15s. 6d.; Powell, 15s. 6d.; Gater, 19s. 6d.; Thos. Thompson, 12s. 6d.; and Jos. Thompson, 12s. each, including costs.