Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 13 August 1904
Street Betting at Denaby
Smart Captures: Severe Penalties.
John Gough, a bookmaker, of Mexboro’, was summoned for betting in a public place at Conisboro’, on the 30th July.
Mr. Baddiley defended.
P.C. Horton stated that on the date in question, at 2 p.m., he was on duty at New Conisboro’, in plain clothes, when he saw the defendant in Denaby road, with a crowd of people around him, most of whom had sporting papers in their hands. Gough had a book in his hand, and witness saw him receive money from four different men, after which he made entries in the book. Witness then rode up to him on a bicycle, and dismounted about five yards from him, and walked within a yard of him. He was then making an entry in his book, and a man was standing close beside him with half-a-crown in his hand, and he told the defendant to put it on Hayashi. Gough made an entry in his book, and then looked up and saw witness, but notwithstanding this he took the half-crown from the man. He then turned to him and said, “I think you have been a bit clever this time, ow’d lad!”
Witness replied, “I don’t know about being clever, I’m here, and you will be reported.”
Mr. Baddiley (to the Superintendent): I admit all the other stuff. It was a fair catch, and the only mistake he made was when he accepted this half-crown from the man. (Laughter.)
The Chairman said there were ten previous convictions against the defendant, and they could not do less than impose the maximum penalty of £5, which would be inclusive of the costs.
James Lang, jun., described as a bookmaker, of Denaby, was charged with a like offence on the same date at Denaby.
P.C. Thompson proved the case. He stated that on the previous Saturday, at 2.10 p.m., he was on duty in Doncaster road, Denaby, where he saw the defendant stood with his back against a wall at the Doncaster road end of the Old Denaby lane. There were five or six men stood near him, and some were reading sporting papers. One of the men went up to the defendant, who was writing in his book. The man handed him a coin, and the defendant made an entry in his book. Another man handed him a 2s. piece, but he saw witness, and he put his book in his pocket and walked away. Someone shouted, “Hi up,” and the defendant went off. Witness said to him as he was going away, “It’s all right, Lang, you’ll be reported.” He replied, “All right.” He (witness) had known Lang for a long time. He had been doing nothing else but book-making for some time. He had seen him near to the Denaby Main Hotel, the Reresby Arms, and the Old Denaby road.
Mr. Baddiley: Where did the man live who made the bet with him?
Witness: In Wath road, Mexboro’.
And did the horse win?
No, sir; it ran second.
Mr. Baddiley said he would not say one thing in favour of the defendants, but he could say that they spoke the truth; they did not go into the witness-box and tell deliberate lies.
The Chairman said there were three previous convictions against Lang, and he would be fined £5 and costs.